Yo Soy Minnesota: Bridging Health Equity Gaps with Culturally and Linguistically Inclusive Resources

by Liz D. Vicente Berrios RN BSN DNP student 

Overview

Health disparities are preventable — yet they persist due to systemic inequities in healthcare, social, and economic systems. For Hispanics in Central Minnesota, limited English proficiency (LEP), provider biases, and low health literacy continue to worsen access and outcomes.
Yo Soy Minnesota was created to address these gaps — offering an easy-to-use, culturally and linguistically tailored digital toolkit designed to empower the Hispanic community.

Understanding the Need

While Minnesota is often recognized as one of the healthiest states, stark disparities remain among racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic and Latinx populations face significant barriers to healthcare, worsened by:

  • Language barriers

  • Lack of culturally sensitive resources

  • Distrust in the healthcare system

  • Limited knowledge of available community services

Nationwide, health disparities cost an estimated $93 billion in excess medical expenses and up to $42 billion in lost productivity annually. As Minnesota’s Hispanic population continues to grow (by 38% since 2010), the need for accessible, culturally appropriate health information becomes even more urgent.

Why Language and Culture Matter

Research shows that limited English proficiency directly impacts:

  • Access to preventive care

  • Chronic disease management

  • Patient satisfaction and safety

  • Treatment adherence

Without clear communication and trust, the ability of patients to advocate for themselves and navigate healthcare systems diminishes.
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) have been shown to improve health equity, quality of care, and community engagement — but many public resources remain available only in English.

Introducing: Yo Soy Minnesota

Yo Soy Minnesota is an online, bilingual toolkit designed to:

✅ Centralize health and community resources in one accessible platform
✅ Empower users to navigate services independently
✅ Boost self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and health literacy
✅ Foster a sense of belonging and community pride

The toolkit is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly (ideal for WhatsApp users), and continuously updated to reflect real-time community needs.

Key Features:

  • Access to food, housing, dental, medical, and mental health resources

  • Information about health insurance enrollment

  • Legal aid, English classes, and professional development resources

  • Weekly reflections and motivational messages

  • Spanish and English language options for all materials

How the Toolkit Was Built

The project was community-driven from the start.
A focus group of 15 Hispanic leaders, students, healthcare workers, and advocates guided the toolkit’s design, ensuring that it reflected the community’s real needs.

Design highlights include:

  • Color palette: Green (growth and renewal) and yellow (joy and optimism)

  • Name: Yo Soy Minnesota — meaning "I am Minnesota" — reinforcing belonging and contribution

  • Mobile-first design: Prioritizing accessibility via phones and messaging apps like WhatsApp

  • Privacy-focused: No personal health data collected

Results So Far

From August 23, 2024, to February 23, 2025:

  • 3,715 independent users visited the toolkit

  • Each user returned approximately 5 times on average

  • 153 families-initiated health insurance enrollments via the site

  • 13 families requested immunization services through public health nurses

Survey feedback (n = 47 participants):

  • 97.87% found the toolkit easy to use

  • 97.87% said it helped them express their needs

  • 100% would recommend the toolkit to others

  • 97.87% felt it helped them find the resources they needed

Website engagement was strong, averaging 106 visits per day.

Community Voices

Open-ended survey responses revealed common themes:

  • Users praised the centralized information and ease of navigation

  • Requests for expanded local services (legal help, English classes, etc.)

  • Appreciation for the platform’s role in building self-confidence and self-advocacy

Evaluating Impact

Using the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) model:

  • Context: Addressed the urgent need for culturally and linguistically appropriate resources.

  • Input: Built on focus group feedback, community partnerships, and mobile accessibility.

  • Process: Continuously refined based on surveys and usage analytics.

  • Product: Delivered measurable improvements in service navigation, self-advocacy, and community engagement.

The toolkit directly supports CLAS standards and sets a model for how digital resources can help reduce healthcare disparities.

What's Next?

Future plans include:

  • Expanding multimedia content (videos, infographics)

  • Growing partnerships with local organizations

  • Improving survey participation rates

  • Advocating for broader policy adoption of CLAS standards across Minnesota

Conclusion

Yo Soy Minnesota is more than a resource hub — it’s a bridge to health equity, empowerment, and belonging.
By meeting the community where they are — linguistically, culturally, and technologically — the toolkit helps unlock opportunities for better health, stronger advocacy, and greater independence.

Together, we are building a healthier, more inclusive Minnesota.