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Healthy Holidays: Why Language Access Matters in Summer Wellness

Ah, summer! The season of sun, sandals, sangria…and sometimes, a surprising number of health hiccups. Whether you’re jetting off to sunny Spain, hosting family barbecues, or navigating pollen-packed picnics, taking care of your health during the holidays is essential. But here’s a question you might not think to ask: Is your health accessible in your own language when you’re away from home? 

This summer, as digital health tools become more widespread and holidaymakers venture across borders, language access in healthcare is more important than ever. Let’s explore why and how small changes in communication can have a big impact on well-being. 

Summer Isn’t Always a Walk in the Park 

Summer can be good for your health with more sunlight, more activity, and often a more relaxed mindset. But it’s also a season that brings specific health risks: 

According to the WHO, over 1 billion people travel internationally each year, and health issues during travel are not uncommon. A study from the Journal of Travel Medicine found that up to 64% of travellers reported some type of illness during their trip, most of them minor, but still disruptive. 

Now, imagine trying to explain your symptoms to a pharmacist or doctor in a language you don’t speak fluently. Stressful, right? 

Enter Digital Health — But With a Catch 

Digital health tools, like mobile health apps, virtual consultations, wearable devices, and online symptom checkers, have revolutionised access to healthcare. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us became more comfortable managing our health from our phones or laptops. 

But there’s a catch: If these tools are only available in one language, they’re not truly accessible. 

For example, a health monitoring app that only offers English content won’t be helpful for someone more comfortable reading in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic. The same goes for telehealth platforms where interpreters aren’t available. It can lead to poor communication, misdiagnosis, or even avoidance of care altogether. 

A study by the European Patients Forum revealed that language barriers were among the top five obstacles to digital health adoption. And a 2022 survey in the UK found that nearly 1 in 5 patients had difficulty understanding digital health information due to language or literacy challenges. 

Health in Your Language = Health That Works 

Let’s pause for a moment and consider what language access really means. It’s more than just translating a brochure. It’s about ensuring that patients, regardless of their language, culture, or literacy level, can understand, engage with, and act on their health information. 

This includes: 

When patients receive care in a language they understand, health outcomes improve. Research consistently shows that language access leads to: 

And in summer — when health issues might arise in unfamiliar settings — it becomes even more important. 

Picture This: A Real-World Example 

Let’s say Ana, a Spanish speaker from California, is visiting her cousins in rural Wales. One evening, she develops a rash and shortness of breath, possibly a food allergy reaction. Her relatives drive her to the nearest GP, but no one there speaks fluent Spanish. The digital intake forms and information screens are all in English. 

Ana, understandably, is scared and unsure how to explain her symptoms. Her cousin tries to translate, but medical terminology gets muddled. In this case, having access to a simple translated symptom guide or an interpreter on a telehealth line could literally be lifesaving. 

Now imagine if all the health services Ana interacted with had been translated and localised for Spanish speakers. Her stress would drop, her care would be safer, and her summer holiday wouldn’t end in confusion. 

It’s Not Just Travellers Who Need Language Access 

Language access isn’t just for tourists. In fact, the majority of people who face language barriers are residents and migrants in their own countries. In the UK, for instance, the Office for National Statistics reports that over 4 million residents speak a main language other than English. 

So even if you’re staying home this summer, local clinics, hospitals, and digital health services must account for multilingual needs. Translation and interpretation aren’t extras; they’re essentials for equitable healthcare. 

What Can You Do? 

If you work in healthcare, digital health, or life sciences, consider how your organisation is addressing language access this summer: 

And if you’re a patient, don’t hesitate to ask for care in your language — it’s your right, and it could make all the difference in a time of need. 

Language Access: A Summer Essential 

Health shouldn’t take a holiday and neither should access to it. 

As we embrace the warmth, joy, and freedom of the summer season, let’s also ensure that everyone has the tools they need to stay well, no matter where they are or what language they speak. 

Whether it’s a sunscreen warning, allergy alert, or COVID booster information, it only works if people can understand it. 

At Avantpage Life Sciences, we believe that language access improves lives. And while we won’t bombard you with a sales pitch, we’d love to chat if you’re working on a project involving translation, localisation, or digital health access this summer. 

Get in touch. Let’s make health more accessible, in every language. 

Enjoy your summer. Stay safe. Stay connected. And stay well — in your language.