G4: Advancing Health Equity and Well-being: AI in Health Literacy, Language Access, and College Student Perspectives

Greetings! I'm passionate about the intersection of anthropology and public health. With a background deeply rooted in understanding diverse cultures and their impact on healthcare, I bring a unique perspective to health and wellness. My education began with a focus on anthropology, delving into how societies approach healthcare. As I navigated the realm of public health, I discovered a fervor for unraveling the complexities of health literacy, policy, and the crucial role of preventative health screenings. My research efforts have been dedicated to bridging the gap between cultural nuances and effective healthcare practices. I've explored the dynamics of health literacy, advocating for policies that promote accessibility and understanding. Recognizing the profound impact of preventative health screenings, my work aims to empower communities to take proactive steps toward their well-being. In my recent role in project management, I've had the privilege of spearheading initiatives that foster collaborations between hospitals. It's a thrilling space where my anthropological insights merge seamlessly with my public health expertise. Facilitating hospital partnerships, I'm committed to enhancing healthcare delivery and accessibility for diverse populations. Looking ahead, I am driven to continue contributing to the evolution of healthcare systems. By merging anthropological insights with public health strategies, I aspire to champion initiatives that address current health disparities and lay the foundation for a healthier and more inclusive future.

Katharine Allen is currently Director of Language Industry Learning at Boostlingo, a large SAAS remote interpreting technology company. She has over 30 years of expertise in interpreting, training, curriculum design, and language technology, focusing on health communication in diverse populations. Co-author of several textbooks and training manuals, including "The Medical Interpreter," "The Indigenous Interpreter," "Breaking Silence: Interpreting for Victim Services," and "The Remote Interpreter," she is a former President of the California Healthcare Interpreting Association and a founding member of the SAFE AI in Interpreting Task Force and AAITE, the American Association of Interpreters and Translation in Education. Katharine combines new technologies with human expertise to overcome language barriers in public health, promoting equitable health communication. She holds an MA in Translation and Interpreting from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Leslie Hoglund, PhD, MEd, MCHES, is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Joint School of Public Health at ODU & NSU, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, at Old Dominion University. She serves as the Master of Public Health (MPH) program director. Dr. Hoglund inspires individuals, communities, and organizations to succeed through data-informed, culturally relevant, evidence-based policy, system, and environmental strategies that improve quality and length of life. She was selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a 2020 Culture of Health Leader and aims to design and create food secure communities. Dr. Hoglund has been in public health practice since 1999, and seeks to infuse salutogenesis as a complementary approach to creating and generation healthier people, communities, and world.