In This Post:
Presenters:
Sarah De La Cerda
Senior Program Manager, Mental Health & Wellness
Jim Shields
Director of Sales
We are aware that the demographic makeup of the American labor force is changing rapidly, and Latinos will account for 78% of all net-new workers this decade. This shift carries major implications for healthcare delivery, employee benefits, and organizational well-being. These workers are the backbone of essential industries such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, warehousing, and hospitality. Yet they remain dramatically underserved by both the traditional healthcare system and newer point solutions.
Systemic inefficiencies, language and culture gaps, and a lack of accessible care models have created a widening gap between available services and effective outcomes. Latino culture is diverse, meaning simple Spanish translation is not enough. The system’s ability to address low health literacy, complex social determinants and cultural distrust among Latino blue-collar workers mean medical non-adherence remains high, costing the U.S. an estimated $528 billion every year in avoidable spending.
At our recent webinar, Sarah De La Cerda, Senior Program Manager, Mental Health & Wellness and Jim Shields, Director of Sales at MiSalud Health, shared insights into how culturally tailored telehealth solutions help bridge these gaps. The discussed strategies to overcome access barriers, increase engagement, and produce meaningful health improvements for blue-collar teams – including $2,800 annual cost reductions for employees with hypertension, and $8,600 for those with diabetes.
About MiSalud Health
MiSalud Health provides a hybrid of same-day telehealth and job-site health events designed specifically for bilingual, blue-collar, and Latino populations, providing affordable physical and mental telehealth care across Mexico and the United States. Their approach shifts the focus from simple access to true activation that supports patients in understanding their health conditions, engaging with preventative care, and following through on “doctor’s orders.” Backed by strong engagement metrics, proven clinical outcomes, and clear ROI, MiSalud is redefining what telehealth can and should deliver for today’s workforce.
The Gaps in Traditional Healthcare Models
Despite significant investment in virtual care and knowing the demographic changes, most employers and brokers acknowledge persistent barriers that prevent the workforce from fully benefiting.
- Linguistic Barriers – A Spanish translation alone does not guarantee understanding. Medical terminology, treatment plans, and follow-up instructions are often lost in translation—or never translated at all. This leads to confusion, misinterpretation, and low adherence.
- Logistical Barriers – Shift workers may have limited time, unpredictable schedules, and inconsistent internet access. Many do not have a regular primary care provider, making ongoing management extremely challenging.
- Technical Barriers – Not all employees have consistent access to smartphones, laptops, or a private space for virtual visits. Digital onboarding can feel intimidating.
- Cultural Trust Barriers – Many Latino workers in essential industries—especially recent immigrants—carry skepticism toward U.S. healthcare institutions. They often rely on family advice, community remedies, or avoid care entirely.
- Adherence Barriers – Even when patients want to follow a care plan, they can struggle with complex medical terminology, medication confusion, or nutrition guidance that does not align with their cultural food preferences and economic realities.
Traditional telehealth models were not built to solve these problems. MiSalud was.
MiSalud’s Activation Model
MiSalud’s model is rooted in three pillars that directly address the barriers above:
- Hybrid Care: Digital and On-Site Support
While virtual care provides convenience, MiSalud discovered that on-site presence is essential for building initial trust and helping employees overcome technology barriers. By establishing baselines and goals face-to-face and encouraging enrollment and follow-through, this hybrid model consistently drives 90% screening rates and 80% enrollment, far surpassing traditional program engagement.
- AI as an Adherence Accelerator
MiSalud uses AI to enhance patient understanding of “doctor’s orders.” It converts medical guidance for taking medicines and managing conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol into the employee’s preferred language, and at their literacy level. When patients understand why a treatment plan matters and how to actually follow it, their adherence and outcomes improve.
MiSalud has also developed its own AI Nutrition Agent, a standout feature of their model. It creates personalized health plans that consider the patient’s weekly grocery budget, kitchen setup (like whether they have a stove or just a microwave), cultural dietary preferences, work schedules, family meal planning needs, and even real-time ingredient price fluctuations. This makes nutrition guidance practical, achievable and sustainable.
- Clinician Culture and Relevance
MiSalud’s clinicians, who are licensed physicians and psychologists based in the U.S. and Mexico, are not only bilingual. They are culturally aligned. They understand Latino dietary preferences, family dynamics, and common cultural perceptions of health. Work stress specific to blue-collar environments and stigma around mental health are cultural fluencies that dramatically increase trust and willingness to engage.
Proven Clinical Outcomes That Matter and The ROI of Relevance
Across the MiSalud program participants over 12 weeks, results include:
- 56% improvement in depression scores
- 24% improvement in managing chronic conditions
- 16 lbs average weight loss
- Reduction in diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity risk levels
MiSalud delivers both clinical and financial impact:
- 5x – 2x ROI
- 13% reduction in ER and urgent care visits – A direct cost-saving driver.
- $8,600 annual savings per diabetes patient
- $2,800 annual savings per hypertension patient
- 99.6% patient satisfaction score
Get in touch with the MiSalud Health team today!
As the demographic makeup of the American workforce shifts, so must the healthcare solutions employers provide. MiSalud’s culturally relevant, AI-enhanced, hybrid model is delivering measurable outcomes, stronger engagement, and proven ROI.
Employers and Brokers Can Implement MiSalud in three proven ways:
- Direct Client PEPM Model
- Broker-Funded “Value-Add” Model – Brokers can cover costs to win competitive deals, differentiate themselves, and deepen client trust.
- Claims Mitigation and ROI Strategy
For brokers, consultants, employers, and benefits leaders, the message is clear:
The future of telehealth is culturally intelligent, accessible, and activation-centered – and the future is here.
For more information, contact:
Jim Shields – jim.shields@misalud.ai
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