Sexual Health Science

Some thoughts on health literacy, trust, AI, and why the way we communicate in healthcare needs to evolve with the people we serve.

Health literacy is more than understanding information. It’s also about how we communicate, design care, and make health easier to navigate.

Last week, I had the opportunity to share a teaser of a training I developed on culturally responsive HIV care and prevention for Latino communities in the Midwest.

The teaser tells a little of the story through data: the significant growth of the Latino population in Missouri in recent years and why that matters for HIV prevention and care.

It also goes back in history to look at how we ended up grouping “Latinos” into one broad category, when the cultural differences between us are absolutely worth learning about. Understanding those differences gives us a chance to know the people behind the label and provide care with more context, curiosity, and empathy.

And the timing feels especially relevant. For the first time, Latinos are being explicitly included as a population to reach in Missouri’s HIV planning. Representation in a plan is only a first step. Now we have to understand the communities we are planning for.

A little data, a little history, and a reminder that “Latino” tells you part of someone’s story.

DM if you’re interested in learning more about this FREE training for your organization.

Kinda chic, if you ask me 🤍

Health literacy is often seen as a patient issue. But after reviewing the literature, I noticed something interesting: many interventions that support health literacy aren’t called “health literacy.”

Instead, you’ll find terms like patient-centered care, trauma-informed care, communication strategies, and shared decision-making.

Different names, shared goal: helping people understand, navigate, and use health information.

Many HIV prevention tools are still underused simply because people don’t know they exist.

Knowing where to go, and acting quickly, can make all the difference.

📍If you think you might need PEP, don’t wait. Contact your local emergency department, urgent care, sexual health clinic, or local health department as soon as possible. If you’re unsure where to start, call your local health department and ask where PEP is available in your area.

Save this post so you know where to start if you or someone you know ever needs it.

Stigma spreads faster than many diseases.

It can stop people from getting tested, seeking treatment, asking questions, or even talking openly about their health.

Stigma isn’t always intentional. Sometimes it shows up in the words we choose, the assumptions we make, or the way we respond to someone else’s experience.