Baldo, the title character of a nationally syndicated comic strip featuring a Latino family, is dealing with his dad being diagnosed with diabetes. The comic strip is syndicated in more than 200 newspapers.

Fifteen-year-old Baldo Bermudez is obsessed with cars and cool. " ‘Baldo' is meant to be a lighthearted family strip," says illustrator Carlos Castellanos, who created the strip along with writer Hector Cantú. "Occasionally, we will write about things ... that are relevant to the Hispanic community." Some 10.4 percent of Hispanics in the United States have diabetes, compared with 6.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

"[Diabetes] is something Hector and I are both dealing with in our own families," says Castellanos, whose mother has diabetes. "I'm always making sure my mom is eating well and exercising. It's something that could be in my future if I'm not careful."

The diabetes plotline began June 29 and will run through July 10, but the strip will continue to touch on the subject in the future, Castellanos says. The story will include information about the disease and its prevention and treatment, as well as some laughs, of course. "It's going to have silly one-liners," says Castellanos. "We want to be able to educate and entertain at the same time."

As part of the effort, the comic duo contacted the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, a Washington, D.C., advocacy group. "We are partnering with someone who's done a really good job at getting the information out to those who need it," says Castellanos.

The final strip in the series will include the alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline, 1-866-SUFAMILIA (1-866-783-2645), which provides free and confidential health information in English and Spanish.

"Hopefully, it makes a difference in someone else's life," says Castellanos. "That's what it's all about for us."

For more information about 'Baldo', click here.

For more information about the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, click here.

For more information on the American Diabetes Association's outreach to the Latino community, click here.