Navigating the Healthcare Maze: How YMCA’s Rahel Behailu is Building Bridges to Wellness

Rahel Behailu, the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s health equity program executive recently joined host Trae Holiday on “The Day with Trae” to discuss her mission of finding solutions for health disparities.  

Behailu emphasized that a person's circumstances should not dictate their well-being. "Money should not determine how long you live, and it shouldn't determine whether you get diabetes or hypertension,” she said. 

Moving Beyond ‘Gym and Swim’

While many view the YMCA solely as a fitness center, Behailu highlighted its evolution into a leading national organization for health equity. The YMCA’s outreach extends far beyond its physical branches to reach those who have been dispersed by gentrification and lack traditional access.

Key initiatives Behailu discussed include culturally tailored programs, community-based classes, and accessibility for all, regardless of YMCA membership status. 

Navigating a Complex System

Behailu’s passion is deeply personal; as the mother of a cancer survivor, she shared her unique understanding of the immense toll chronic illness takes on a family. Through her role, she advocates for better representation in clinical trials and acts as a liaison between major medical institutions and the community.

“Navigating the healthcare system is not created to be easy," Behailu said, explaining its difficulty even for those with an education and English proficiency. She envisioned the YMCA as a bridge to the gap where medical providers may not understand a patient's culture or personal biases.

Normalizing the Conversation 

Holiday echoed the importance of this work, urging families to make health discussions a regular part of their lives. “We no longer need to hold on to the information and then just see generation after generation dealing with the same health issues,” she said. 

The YMCA continues this outreach with upcoming events like Healthy Kids Day on April 18th, offering games and resources for the entire family. As Behailu concluded, the ultimate goal is to ensure "every person is entitled to live their healthiest life.”

Learn more about what the YMCA of Greater Seattle has to offer here. 

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

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