Efforts to address healthcare disparities have made progress, but uncertainties persist. Low health literacy is a primary concern, given its substantial financial impact on the US healthcare system – an estimated cost of $106 to $238 billion, equivalent to 7–17% of healthcare expenditures (BMC Health Services Research).

Beyond engagement, low literacy underscores healthcare’s inability to cater to marginalized communities. Empowering individuals to manage their health requires cultural sensitivity, implementing strategies that honor norms with humility, and drawing lessons from past successes and failures. Shifting away from uniform approaches, acknowledging AI’s amplified challenges due to algorithmic bias, and embracing unconventional yet valid data are paths healthcare professionals see as a tangible return on investment for achieving genuine health equity.