Who says talking about health has to be boring? Or worse, scary? Comedian, actor and popular content creator KevOnStage, together with the CDC Foundation, today is launching a new web series, “Live to the Beat with KevOnStage,” to show learning about – and improving – your health can be fun.

Over seven episodes, KevOnStage, also known as Kevin Fredericks, meets with experts to discuss topics ranging from healthy eating to mental health, including a visit to the cardiologist. Deaths from heart disease and stroke have increased during the pandemic, and Black adults die from heart disease at a rate 2 times higher and their risk of death from stroke is even greater. Using his signature style, KevOnStage disarms these often overwhelming discussions, all in an effort to inform and entertain.

KevOnStage, comedian, actor and popular content creator

CDC Foundation’s “Live to the Beat” campaign

Visit https://www.livetothebeat.org/newsroom to watch

“We’ve seen the statistics—we know Black people are at higher risk for heart disease. And that can feel scary and overwhelming, and it’s easy to say ‘oh well,’ said Fredericks. “But there is something we can do to change the statistics; there’s something each of us can do to make the world healthier for Black folk and that’s why it was so important for me to make this series. To show experts, who look like me and understand me, sharing information that can help me—and millions of others.” – Kevin Fredericks, @KevOnStage

Created to support the Million Hearts® initiative, “Live to the Beat” aims to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Black adults ages 35-54 with a focus on moving more, eating better, quitting smoking, and addressing key risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Informed by Black adults, the campaign focuses on empathy over judgment; real person representation; small step solutions; and the promise of living over the threat of dying. With a steady beat of healthy habits, tips, and routines to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, the campaign aims to move beyond knowledge and awareness to inspiring and building confidence to create behavior change.