Having a sick child is hard enough, but there’s an extra layer of difficulty when you’re not totally fluent in English and are trying to navigate an English-based health system.

That’s the reality for millions in this country. An estimated 8.2% of the US speaks English “less than very well" according to the US Census Bureau's American Community survey. And a 2024 review from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that people who don’t speak English very well have lower satisfaction rates and worse health outcomes, including more hospital readmissions and longer stays.

Doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital hope to soon pilot an artificial intelligence-powered translator that may make things a little less stressful for non-English speakers.

The basics. Hospitals that receive federal funding are required to provide “meaningful” translation and interpretation services when needed, which can include free on-site interpreters and translators, qualified bilingual staff, or remote interpreters via phone or video, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Still, three in 10 adults who don’t speak English “very well” said they had trouble understanding their healthcare provider’s instructions or communicating with medical staff, according to a KFF survey released in May.

Keep reading here.—CC

Working in healthcare feels a lot like running a triathlon…every single shift. It’s no coincidence that foot and back pain seem to be a common complaint from nurses, doctors, and healthcare pros alike.

Luckily, that’s where HOKA’s Bondi SR steps into the picture. These slip-resistant, ultra-grippy shoes are constructed with a water-resistant leather upper that’ll shield your feet during the toughest shifts.

Besides being one of HOKA’s most cushioned shoes, the Bondi SR is where fashion meets function. Everyone in the hospital and lab will likely be asking where you copped ’em.

Give your feet a break.

The second-largest health plan provider in the country took a hit in Medicare Advantage (MA) star ratings, and execs expect it to hurt the company’s bottom line.

Humana reported Wednesday on a Form 8-K current report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that about 25%, or 1.6 million of its members, are enrolled in its plans with ratings above four stars for 2025—a drop from 94% of its total 6.4 million members in 2024.

MA star ratings are calculated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which ranks plans from one to five stars, with five being the best. The goal is to help beneficiaries compare health plans, but there’s also a financial incentive for companies.

Keep reading here.—CM

Women of color are up to three times more likely than white women to be diagnosed with lupus, a lifelong autoimmune disease that affects about 200,000 people in the US and is more prevalent among women, according to the CDC. And when it comes to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, one 2021 study from the University of Southern California found that Back and Hispanic/Latino patients were more likely than white patients to experience faster disease progression and greater severity of symptoms.

That’s why Wallace Torres co-founded WellTheory, a virtual health company that provides nutrition and lifestyle coaching to improve the health of patients with autoimmune diseases. Torres, a Puerto Rican American who is also head of operations at the company, said he’s determined to address gaps in autoimmune care. He said that while the California-based company does diagnose conditions, its registered dietitians, health coaches, and health coordinators focus on working with people to manage their specific needs, addressing common symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches or weakness, and loss of appetite.

Torres spoke with Healthcare Brew about his plans for WellTheory, which started seeing clients in August 2021 and works in all 50 states, and his mission to address health disparities.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Why did you create WellTheory?

I met Ellen [Rudolph, co-founder and CEO of WellTheory] four years ago through an entrepreneur fellowship, and she had this idea around an autoimmune company.

My wife also went through an autoimmune crisis herself, and so she started getting these crazy symptoms, not specific. We started going from doctor to doctor, trying to get answers. At the same time, I’m talking to Ellen about WellTheory and this idea about an autoimmune company. It was a little bit of seeing is believing and understanding that there was a huge need here. We had the resources to try and find answers, and we weren’t finding our own answers. So we’ve been together ever since.

Keep reading here.—CM