OUR STORIES
Stories are at the heart of The Health Fluency Project. We would love to hear your voices and experiences! Here are a few inspiring stories from some of us at HFP!
"One of the greatest values I hold dear to me is giving back to my community--the one which shaped me, nurtured me, supported me, and brought me to a place I feel I am very fortunate to be in.
This project is my way of doing so.
Growing up in rural South Dakota, I saw firsthand the disparity of treatment outcomes when it comes to minority non-native-English-speaking communities. This disparity is often rooted in language and/or cultural barriers, creating a complex issue that has become pervasive within healthcare, especially in rural America. In such a homogenous population, these language and cultural differences tend to be overlooked--quite understandably so. With access to healthcare infrastructure already so sparse, the focus of care often lies in efficiency in outcomes--serving the majority rather than tailoring treatment options to adapt to heterogenous populations, something more commonly done in urban counterparts. I see this firsthand in my community, from my own household experience to major reservation-wide disparities such as in Rosebud or Pine Ridge.
It is not a coincidence that communities like Rosebud and Pine Ridge often tend to be the poorest in America and also have the lowest rates of health literacy. Because of its roots in fear, distrust, misinformation/lack of information, poor accessibility, and so much more, healthcare outcomes are disproportionately poor for many in my state, not just those in reservation communities. Hearing these stories and experiencing these shared frustrations sparked my love and dedication toward this project.
By raising awareness about the importance of health literacy, advocating for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients, and promoting community education initiatives, we can make significant strides toward a healthier and more empowered society as a whole. As more and more organizations, both private and governmental, begin to look at health outcomes for non-native English speakers, I believe that sharing our stories—the same stories that ended up inspiring us—will make a substantial impact. In such a diverse nation as the United States, it is paramount that every individual, irrespective of their spoken language or cultural background, can fully access their fundamental right to healthcare. Our goal, especially through this section, is to foster a community where each person's unique narrative is embraced and illuminated, ensuring equitable healthcare for all."
Sincerely,
Aditya Tummala
Co-founder of The Health Fluency Project
"When I was three years old, my mother—allured by the idea of the American Dream—decided to immigrate from China to the U.S. The implications of starting a new life in an unfamiliar country were very clear to the rest of our extended family, who wanted to remain in China. So my mother went alone, and I lived with my grandparents for a year, when my mother was financially capable of raising me in the U.S.
Like many immigrants, my mother faced the daunting task of adjusting to life in America. While she was able to find a stable job and a supportive community, she struggled to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Specifically, my mother felt unable to clearly communicate her needs with her providers due to her language barrier and the difficulty of learning the necessary health terminology. Sometimes, my mother also took a prolonged time to express her thoughts in English; she would often come back from an appointment with a visible expression of frustration, complaining that she couldn’t find the right words to express her needs, which caused the doctor to become impatient with her. This perpetuated a further stigma towards receiving care, and my mother often felt hesitant to voice her needs even when she felt wronged. During an appointment for an ear-related issue, she felt that the physician was being too rough in his exam to the point where the inside of her ear started bleeding. Not wanting to cause a commotion and believing that the doctor wouldn’t understand anyway, she just remained in a silent grimace for the remainder of the exam. She never went to that doctor again. These experiences pushed my mother to seek care in more familiar places. To this day, she receives her primary care from an all-Mandarin-speaking clinic—Mandarin-speaking physicians, nurses, assistants, and even the receptionist. When asked why, she would say, “I feel that they can understand me and I feel more comfortable around them.”
The seeds of The Health Fluency Project lay grounded in these stories—not only from my mother but also from friends and strangers alike. I heard these stories as individual events—at the dinner table, at gatherings with family and friends, on the internet—and initially viewed them as such. Combining these stories in a mosaic, however, I began to see that there was a systemic issue—one I hope to address through this project. Many immigrants and non-native English speakers have trouble navigating the healthcare system and communicating with their providers, whether due to the language barrier, low health literacy, or the stigma that stems from previous negative experiences in healthcare. In a country as culturally and linguistically diverse as America, it is crucial for everyone—regardless of language spoken—to effectively utilize such a basic right as healthcare. We hope to achieve this, holding each story in the light."
Sincerely,
Beier Nelson
Co-founder of The Health Fluency Project
"As a Haitian American who grew up in an immigrant household, I’ve seen how language barriers can make something as essential as healthcare feel out of reach. I watched my own relatives struggle to communicate with doctors, navigate health insurance, and understand treatment plans, often leading to frustration and many missed opportunities for quality care. These experiences have shaped my belief that health fluency isn’t just important—it’s vital.
Although this is the first time I have been introduced to this organization, the work of the Health Fluency Project feels deeply personal to me. Many members of Boston’s immigrant community face the same challenges I’ve seen in own my family, and I’m eager to contribute by helping others overcome these barriers. Through workshops and resources, I hope to empower individuals to feel confident in their ability to access and advocate for their healthcare.
As someone who loves volunteering and is committed to a future in medicine, I am passionate about such initiatives that focus on equity, education, and inclusion. Joining this project is an opportunity to give back to a community I care about while working toward a future where language is never a barrier to quality care."
"As soon as I learned how to read, write, and comprehend the English language, my literacy was challenged by the school, government, or health forms I would have to fill out on my parents’ behalf, translating questions to the best of my abilities and regurgitating the Bengali answers into English.
Stories like these are common for immigrant and underserved communities, and thus I am eager to alleviate that burden and empower individuals to confidently and adequately manage the American healthcare system. The lack of health literacy and language access for non-native English speakers are only one of the several barriers in the healthcare system that prevent people from receiving necessary care. As a student looking to enter the healthcare field, I am keen to immerse myself in the various struggles patient populations and their families face to create a more accessible and equitable system.
In joining The Health Fluency Project, I further believe I will be capable of uplifting communities close to me, beginning with my family and my neighborhood in Brooklyn. The ability to make well-informed health decisions about oneself is currently a privilege and I want to make it an undeniable right for all individuals."
"My interest in health literacy started as a little kid in the waiting room. Growing up as a chronically ill and injured kid with an immigrant parent came with many struggles. I had to be attentive to every detail the doctor told me during the appointment, so I could report it to my parents. If being a sick kid does not make you grow up fast already, then the language barrier sure does. I am interested in joining the Health Fluency Project because I believe empowering patients to take their health back into their own hands will limit the number of misdiagnoses and biases that occur in the healthcare system. This passion also translates into my own startup to help disabled youth do the same thing. Every person deserves to have control over their health, and this starts with education. After all, Education is power."
"Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the challenges poor English speakers face in navigating healthcare systems. My father, an orthopedic surgeon in Jamaica, often shared stories of patients struggling to understand medical procedures and treatment plans due to language barriers. Seeing their confusion and fear inspired me to bridge this gap.
I believe that health literacy is a fundamental right, not a privilege. A lack of understanding can lead to poor health outcomes, financial burdens, and unnecessary suffering. By joining The Health Fluency Project, I hope to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their well-being.
My passion for education and community care drives me to contribute meaningfully to initiatives that make complex information accessible. Whether through simplifying medical jargon, creating culturally relevant resources, or engaging in community outreach, I am committed to making healthcare more inclusive and understandable.
Ultimately, I want to be part of a movement that ensures no one is left behind due to language barriers or lack of information. Through The Health Fluency Project, I see an opportunity to turn my passion into impact—helping people gain the fluency they need to advocate for their health and their future."
"I've grown up hearing about relatives developing chronic conditions and having serious health events. Within the Latinx community, that’s relatively normalized though when, in comparison to the majority, these adverse health outcomes aren’t, but I never thought that this fate would come knocking on my home’s door.
On May 27, 2021, my father passed away from a preventable cause. In districts where the community runs away from available healthcare because of how renownedly inferior it is, there is no circumventing this system in the case of an emergency, making enacting change necessary. I’ve made it my purpose ever since to advocate for the healthcare of other marginalized peoples, aiming to safeguard against medical malpractice by codifying healthcare quality standards where they are ignored and becoming the change I want to see.
Knowing how to respond in the case of a health emergency and where to start in preventing them early is key to improving the quality of life in minority communities. Being able to deliver health information that could be life-saving one day is a highlight of my interest in advancing the Health Fluency Project's efforts in the Boston community."
"Growing up as the daughter of non-English-speaking parents, I often took on the role of translator during their healthcare visits. Those experiences not only highlighted the importance of linguistic accessibility but also revealed the systemic barriers that prevent many patients from receiving quality care. The language barrier wasn’t just a matter of miscommunication - it often led to mistrust and in some cases, substandard care when providers dismissed or disrespected my parents for not speaking English. Beyond interactions with providers, I also saw how my parents turned to unreliable sources of health information, often leading to misinformation, emphasizing the need for accessible and accurate resources.
The Health Fluency Project’s mission to equip English language learners with reliable healthcare knowledge aligns with my vision of serving underrepresented communities. By facilitating workshops and collaborating with community partners, I hope to break down such barriers and empower individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their health. Joining this initiative represents a meaningful opportunity to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system where individuals can advocate for themselves with confidence. "
I started tutoring immigrant students in English beginning starting my freshmen year at Winter Hill School in Somerville. Many of these students were undocumented, did not have stable homes, and had never sat in a classroom before. They struggled not only to write and speak in English but also made many errors with their own native tongues and only a few could write in their native language. After working closely with these students for some months I grew to love each one of them, and also felt an obligation to help them learn English by using all of the resources I had because I was once an immigrant child who could not speak or read English well. The difference is I was fortunate to have working parents, a stable home, and a green card. I started school on time and although my parents could not always help me with my homework, I never had to worry about being suddenly moved or someone not allowing me to go to school.
Just like these students, I am a first-generation immigrant, but I came to this country with many privileges. I established the Tufts Pen Pal Program to help connect Winter Hill students with Tufts students. This not only sparked excitement in the Winter Hill middle schoolers to learn and communicate in English, but it also made students who were part of the Tufts community (who are more fortunate than others) aware of the academic struggles of children who are a 10-minute bus ride away. I am very passionate about ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, but I also have a goal to work as a physician in the future. Joining the Health Fluency Projects is a perfect fit for me.
"I am a Community Health major at Tufts particularly interested in studying the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities through health law and policy. Cultural competency on behalf of all providers in the system is essential to high-quality, effective health care. If patients are not able to communicate well with medical professionals, then all efforts to improve the healthcare system—instituting payment reform, emphasizing preventive services, and expanding public insurance eligibility—are trivial.
I wish to join The Health Fluency Project to help reduce barriers to accessing health care and to promote a more informed and health-conscious community. While there is always more work to be done to achieve an equitable society, we can take action to dismantle structural racism and harbored prejudices by focusing on preventable differences in health. This project can also lead to further research on strategies to confront health inequities."
"As a new Bostonian, I am thrilled about the opportunity to teach language learners about the healthcare system through the Health Fluency Project and give back to the community that has welcomed me with open arms.
From educating low-income elementary students in high school to teaching sixth graders as a current CIVICS instructor, I have always loved connecting with others and helping them build confidence over the course of just a semester. Working at the Health Fluency Project would offer a fresh perspective—allowing me to not only guide language learners but also learn from my peer mentors and continually refine my approach to introducing new material. Beyond my enthusiasm to volunteer at the Health Fluency Project, I believe my professional experiences have equipped me with the project management skills, attention to detail, and communication and advocacy abilities needed for this position."
"As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, I grew up translating a plethora of things from Spanish to English for my parents, whether it be an everyday Facebook message or an important PowerPoint presentation for work. Over the years, I observed my parents' incredible strength as they attended night school to learn English while practicing for their citizenship tests. While I have never translated for my parents at their doctor's appointments, I recognize that learning a new language while assimilating into American culture is by no means easy, and yet carries an incredible importance in navigating day-to-day life.
Through the Health Fluency Project, I aim to give back to the Boston community by hosting educational workshops and creating informative resources to help get individuals' messages across as effectively as possible, especially in settings that are crucial for determining their quality of life like a physician's office. I have primarily explored my passion for health literacy through my extracurriculars. For example, through my work as a Healthcare Access Commission Member at the Institute of Politics, I designed pamphlets with fresh food access for underrepresented communities who may be impacted by hypertension (as fresh food access is a social determinant impacting hypertension risk)."
"Community is the cornerstone of healthcare while health is inevitably the most fundamental tenet and infrastructure to support community resilience and vitality. Medicine is a narrative of collective disenfranchisement, empowerment, mutual ailments, and healing. The well-being of individuals is intricately intertwined with the well-being of the community. I believe that community health interrogates the competency of infrastructure in making healthcare accessible and empathetic, focusing on equitable education and preventative care, and reconciling with intersectional complexities to mitigate health disparities in underserved and underrepresented communities. Throughout my experience as a medical receptionist at a pediatric clinic in Brooklyn’s low-income Chinese immigrant community, I witnessed how a lack of culturally appropriate educational resources and prevention initiatives viscerally disrupts children’s development. How connected families are to community health resources and thus how informed they are in pediatric physical, cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional developmental milestones is the decisive factor in whether or not families and children receive the necessary support growing up.
I’ve seen children desperately behind on immunizations, without access to specialists who speak their language, failing to meet speech milestones, struggling with behavioral problems, and suffering from cultural stigmas surrounding mental illness and neurodivergence. The same children struggle even more when they enroll in school. When I worked in early intervention programs for ASD, I learned that children evaluated before three are the luckiest among their peers who continue to grow, learn, walk, and talk severely delayed. Unfortunately, these children become adults struggling against various barriers to education, employment, housing, and autonomy. Intuitively, these adults, I’ve seen working as a medical assistant in internal medicine, become disproportionately impacted by chronic illnesses and the harsh realities of unsupported/undiagnosed mental illness."
"Growing up, I was my grandpa's nurse. I was there with my mom, picking up stains, taking blood sugar levels, and pushing in the insulin. As an immigrant and non-English speaker, the healthcare system wasn't there to support him. Ever since then, I have been drawn to medicine and more importantly, to medical advocacy. I want to continue gaining experience in the field and making a positive impact."
"My long-term goal is to become a physician and work with underprivileged communities in both my home state and the areas where I study and practice. The work this project is doing resonates deeply with my vision for empowering communities to overcome barriers to healthcare.
Having studied Spanish for five years and spent a summer volunteering at an underprivileged pediatric clinic, I have witnessed the challenges non-English-speaking families face in healthcare settings. I remember how difficult it was for parents to ask questions or fully understand medical advice without a Spanish-speaking nurse or medical associate present. The communication gap was stark and often left families feeling unheard and uninformed.
This experience has driven my passion for improving health literacy and access for underserved populations. By volunteering with this project, I hope to build on these experiences, contributing to bridging language and cultural gaps in healthcare. I am eager to support these efforts and help equip individuals with the tools they need to advocate for their health and well-being."
"I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of healthcare and language. During my freshman year of high school, I noticed that many people faced barriers to COVID vaccinations, one of which was language. Many non-native English speakers waited on hold for hours only to find themselves unable to communicate effectively to register for a vaccine.
To combat this issue, I worked with local physicians to organize a series of vaccination clinics tailored to marginalized communities in my hometown, Chapel Hill, particularly Hispanic and Burmese populations. I served as a Spanish translator, assisting with paperwork and generally helping assuage anxieties. I’m proud to say that our clinics were responsible for vaccinating over 2000 individuals who might otherwise have been overlooked, all while practicing my Spanish.
My passion for teaching language complements this work – over my junior summer, I taught English to my host brothers in Korea, and I’ve also run English classes to elementary school kids in Spain over Zoom. I want to further this work by combining my love for health equity and language – joining the Health Fluency project feels like the perfect way to do so.”
Growing up in the sanctuary city of Union City, NJ, I was surrounded by stories about applying to Charity Care because they were uninsured, not feeling comfortable visiting the doctor because they only spoke English, and distrusting medical professionals because they prescribed "too many pills". My parents, especially due to their ineligibility for medical insurance, perceive a visit to the doctor's office as a last resort; such a case is not rare in my hometown. Volunteering as a Spanish Interpreter at the Rhode Island Free Clinic and, most recently, at the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, I realized that this is not just an issue near me.
Across many communities, I've witnessed how language barriers and access to healthcare can lead to distrust and neglect of medical care. My lived experiences as a first-generation Peruvian-American have fueled my aspiration to become a family medicine physician-advocate. Through the Health Fluency Project, I hope to uplift my community and expand the project's reach. It excites me to know that this can be an opportunity to create systemic change through education and community outreach.
When told I’d have a little sister, I was ecstatic. But as she grew, I noticed there was something wrong. She consistently gave me bruises and pulled my hair. My family was desperate for answers, so off to the doctor we went.
I had a mission: translating for my immigrant parents since I had only wanted to help my sister and my world. After hours of researching pediatric clinics, I urged my parents to try one more time.
As usual, my sister entered the clinic screaming.
“Shh…” With waves of the pediatrician’s bubble wand, her screams were replaced by giggles.
“Of course, you can pick the bandaid! Cinderella is a great choice.” He affirmed.
That day, I learned that healthcare was much more than simply medicine; it was a doctor patiently explaining diagnoses so I could translate and assuage my parents’ fears. It was a doctor examining my sister, and diagnosing her with dyslexia and intermittent explosive disorder.
My love for my sister, and my experiences on the other side of healthcare, have taught me that behind every diagnosis is a human. After 17 years of my life, I’m still chasing my dream of wielding a stethoscope and a bubble wand.
