Giving a Voice to Latino Health in Utah
At University of Utah Health, we believe that access to high-quality health care begins with understanding. That means ensuring we are meeting people where they are, in the language they speak, and in a culturally appropriate way. That belief is what drives Su Salud al Día (“Your Health Today”), a Spanish-language podcast dedicated to sharing accurate, culturally relevant health information with Utah’s growing Latino community.
The podcast is a collaboration between University of Utah Health, University of Utah Health Plans, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Hosted by respected journalist Pablo Tellechea, Su Salud al Día offers a space where health conversations are approachable, trustworthy, and personal.
“We’re not looking to sell any products or services,” Tellechea said. “We just talk about health and promote education and prevention in the Hispanic community.”
A Partnership Rooted in Community
Launched in late 2024, Su Salud al Día was born out of a shared goal: to make health education more accessible for Utah’s Spanish-speaking families. Each week, Tellechea interviews doctors, mental health professionals, and educators about topics like diabetes, pregnancy, depression, and suicide prevention, all in Spanish.
For many listeners, hearing health experts speak their language transforms how they connect with care. It replaces uncertainty with understanding and stigma with trust. That’s exactly what U of U Health hopes to achieve through partnerships like this one.
“I feel strongly that to deliver the very best care, and to make sure our families can share their concerns with their caregivers effectively, we have to be able to speak to our patients in their preferred language,” said Hilary Hewes, MD, a pediatric emergency physician at U of U Health and regular contributor to Su Salud al Día.
“When I speak Spanish with a family who is primarily Spanish-speaking, there’s almost a perceptible breath of relief,” Hewes said. “It breaks down a barrier between a family and caregiver and allows a more rapid bond and deeper trust to form.”
That trust is essential, Hewes said — not only in conversation but in every part of care. “Making sure care plans or discharge instructions are available in a family’s preferred language helps ensure understanding, decreases the risk of medical errors, and helps families feel seen and supported.”
Normalizing Health Conversations in Spanish
For Tellechea, Su Salud al Día is more than a podcast—it’s a bridge. “Health is a cultural issue,” he explained. “Talking about it in our language helps people channel their concerns. We want to bring to light the most common health issues among the Hispanic community and make it normal to talk about them.”
Each episode reflects real questions and experiences within the Latino community, with topics chosen based on listener and community partner feedback. The podcast’s mental health series has been especially impactful, helping break the silence around depression, stress, and suicide prevention.
“Mental health topics like depression and stress get a lot of attention,” Tellechea said. “There clearly is a lot of interest—and people who want answers but may be afraid to ask.”
Connecting Health Systems and Communities
Beyond awareness, Su Salud al Día connects listeners with statewide resources such as Live On Utah, and the , and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as well as local therapists and clinicians in rural communities where many Latino workers live in isolation.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as well as local therapists and clinicians in rural communities where many Latino workers live in isolation.
“Our goal isn’t to create new resources,” said Edwin Espinel, public information officer for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. “It’s to bring awareness and information to the Latino community so they can access what already exists.”
University of Utah Health has nearly 30,000 Spanish-speaking patients and has long worked to expand Spanish-language resources from bilingual staff, translation services, and interpreters to our Spanish HealthFeed blog and community outreach programs. U of U Health’s network of clinics across the Salt Lake Valley and the upcoming Eccles Health Campus in West Valley are designed with accessibility in mind, offering bilingual staff and culturally informed care.
Building a Healthier, More Connected Future
Looking ahead, Tellechea hopes Su Salud al Día continues to grow as a trusted space for health conversations in Utah’s Latino community. Upcoming episodes will explore topics like Alzheimer’s, childhood obesity, menopause, and aging, while also taking the show on the road for live events in rural and urban neighborhoods.
“I’d like to see a public hub that Hispanics recognize as our home, where we can go for reliable health information,” Tellechea said. “That’s what this collaboration with University of Utah Health is creating, a trusted space where the community feels seen and supported.”
New episodes of Su Salud al Día are released every Friday at 7 am on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, with clips and summaries shared weekly on social media.
Through partnerships like this, University of Utah Health continues its commitment to building healthier communities—one conversation, one connection, and one story at a time.