Author: Grace Li
I’m pleased to announce our next installment of our Student Spotlight Series, with HealthReach Inc! In this interview, we discuss health literacy and equity, and how they lead change in their community.
Q1: Can you briefly introduce HealthReach Inc and your mission?
HealthReach Inc is a student-founded organization focused on improving health literacy and access to reliable health information for high school students and local communities. Our mission is to make health education more understandable, approachable, and relevant, especially for people who may not always have easy access to clear or trustworthy health resources.
Q2: What inspired you to start HealthReach, and what health challenge in your community were you trying to address when you began?
My partner and I were inspired to start HealthReach after noticing how often misinformation and confusion came up when people talked about health, whether it was about basic preventative care, mental health, or navigating healthcare systems. In my community, a lot of students and families had access to information, but not necessarily information that was clear, accurate, or easy to apply. I wanted to address that gap by focusing on education first and meeting people where they already are.
Q3: Could you expand on your organization’s HealthReach Health Literacy Program, who it’s designed for, and how youth can get involved or benefit from it?
The HealthReach Health Literacy Program is designed for all ages . It focuses on breaking down health topics into simple, practical lessons that people can actually use in their daily lives. Youth can benefit by learning how to evaluate health information, understand basic health concepts, and feel more confident asking questions about their health. Students can also get involved by helping develop content, leading peer discussions, or assisting with workshops, which gives them leadership experience while reinforcing their own understanding.
Q4: Health equity and access to health information are huge issues. How does HealthReach work to increase access?
HealthReach focuses on equity by prioritizing education and outreach that is free, accessible, and tailored to the audience. We aim to present health information in clear language and familiar settings, such as schools and community spaces, so it doesn’t feel intimidating or out of reach. By working with local partners and centering youth voices, we try to make health education feel inclusive rather than one-size-fits-all.
Q5: What is the most memorable project, workshop, or event you’ve done, and why?
One of the most memorable experiences has been working directly with younger children during educational sessions during the summer and seeing how engaged they become once health topics feel relatable. Watching them go from hesitant or unsure to actively asking questions and sharing their own experiences reinforced why HealthReach focuses so strongly on education. It showed me that even small, local efforts can make a real difference when people feel heard and respected.
Support HealthReach Inc on their socials here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthreach111/
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