When he arrived, he was heartbroken to find that in her kitchen area, right beside her in a corner of the same hut, the mother had containers of sugar, salt and water: all of the ingredients necessary for an oral rehydration solution that could have saved her child. Says Wadhwani, “This child did not die from dehydration caused by diarrhea. She died from a lack of access to medical information in her parents’ native language.”

If you’re reading this, you’re probably among the lucky 27% of internet users who have consistent access to health care information online in your native language. Just by virtue of being an English speaker, you can read an estimated 57% of all internet sites without second language skills or translation. It’s a convenience that many speakers of dominant commercial languages take for granted. If your child, friend, neighbor or grandparent is showing signs of illness, you can start to identify the symptoms and take action right away. . .