Instilling Hope in Global Health: A Conversation with Khushi Toprani
By Bhavya Bhushan
Khushi Toprani, a Strategic Management and Business Analytics student at McGill University, is dedicated to addressing the intersection of financial security and health outcomes in immigrant communities. As a Global Health Scholar supported by the John Locke Churchill Scholars Award, Khushi’s work combines data-driven research with real-world solutions, particularly focused on how immigrant populations in Canada navigate financial instability and its impact on their health. In a recent interview, I had the opportunity to sit down with Khushi to discuss her research and share her insights on how we can instill hope in global health, particularly for marginalized groups like immigrants. I wanted to share her perspective with the hope of inspiring others to take action and drive meaningful change.
Khushi is pictured presenting her research on the link between financial security and health outcomes for immigrant communities at McGill's Annual Global Health Night. Her work highlights the importance of data-driven solutions to address global health disparities.
The Intersection of Health and Financial Stability
Khushi’s interest in global health was sparked by a deeply personal connection. Growing up as a child in an immigrant family, she witnessed firsthand the challenges her family faced in accessing stable jobs and healthcare. These experiences fuelled her passion to understand how financial insecurity impacts health, particularly for people like herself and her family, as well as other immigrant populations.
“I’ve always been interested in business and how data can create impactful change,” Khushi explains. “I saw an opportunity to merge my background in business with my desire to improve global health, particularly for immigrant communities who often face unique challenges.”
Through her research at McGill, Khushi explores how financial well-being impacts health outcomes, focusing on immigrant populations in Canada. Her work examines how economic stress can lead to poor mental and physical health, and how policy interventions might help mitigate these effects.
How Can Hope Drive Change in Health Systems?
A central theme in Khushi’s work is the idea of hope, specifically how hope can be instilled in global health systems, especially for immigrant communities. In a field often characterized by slow progress and complex challenges, Khushi believes hope is crucial for motivating change.
“One change I hope to see in global health is a shift toward more holistic, culturally informed solutions,” Khushi says. “Health interventions need to consider not just the medical side, but also the social, cultural, and economic factors that shape people’s behaviour and well-being. For example, providing malaria nets may help reduce the risk of the disease, but if communities don’t trust them or understand their purpose, they won’t use them. Solutions need to be culturally relevant and tailored to the specific needs of the community.”
Khushi highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating effective, sustainable solutions. Young people, she believes, have a unique role to play in driving this change. With access to vast amounts of data, digital tools, and social platforms, young people can advocate for culturally relevant policies, push for systemic change, and ensure that health solutions are accessible and impactful.
The Role of Young People and Communities in Creating Hope
In her research, Khushi has found that younger immigrants, despite often earning higher incomes than their parents, still face significant financial stress due to a lack of resources, support, and understanding of the Canadian financial system. This financial instability often leads to poor health outcomes, including increased stress and mental health challenges, underscoring the need for accessible solutions that empower these communities.
“Young people can play a crucial role in instilling hope and positive change,” she says. “It’s not just about providing resources—it’s about making sure they are accessible, trustworthy, and relevant to the community. For immigrant populations, that often means integrating solutions into spaces they already trust, like community centres, libraries, and online platforms.”
Khushi emphasizes that young people, with their unique understanding of both their heritage and the opportunities in their new country, are in a strong position to bridge these gaps. By leveraging existing community networks and digital tools, they can help create the support systems that many immigrant families sorely need.
Khushi suggests that young people can drive change by pushing for financial literacy and mentorship programs that provide practical tools for immigrants to manage their finances and navigate their new environment.
“Mentorship can make a big difference,” she adds. “Many immigrants settle in neighbourhoods with others from their home country, which creates a great opportunity for mentorship programs. These programs can provide the informal support needed to help newcomers adjust and thrive.”
Inspiring Hope and Creating Change
One of the key ways to instill hope, according to Khushi, is through community-driven initiatives that empower individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Programs like Prosper Canada, which focuses on one-on-one financial coaching for immigrants, have been particularly effective.
“Prosper Canada tailors its services to the unique needs of immigrants, which is important because one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work,” she explains. “They also use data to measure the impact of their programs, which helps show that their approach is effective and scalable.”
Another example that Khushi admires is Fin Lit Universe, a program that empowers Black mothers to build financial independence and create generational wealth. Through an 8-week program, participants not only gain financial tools but also develop life skills that contribute to their long-term well-being.
What makes these programs stand out, Khushi points out, is their ability to measure impact. “By tracking outcomes and demonstrating the success of their initiatives, these programs prove that change is possible and that community-driven efforts can really make a difference,” she says.
Financial Security and Health: A Symbiotic Relationship
At the heart of Khushi’s work is the connection between financial security and overall health. She argues that addressing financial disparities is a key strategy for improving health outcomes in immigrant communities.
“Financial well-being is deeply connected to health,” she says. “When people feel financially secure, they are better able to access healthcare, reduce stress, and lead healthier lives. For immigrants, financial struggles can lead to social isolation and poor health, so empowering them with financial tools can have a ripple effect on their overall well-being.”
Khushi's research highlights that immigrants often face vulnerability due to financial instability, which can expose them to exploitation and fraud. She believes financial literacy programs are essential not only for improving wealth but also for protecting people from harm.
“Financial literacy is a key tool for empowerment. It can protect immigrants from exploitation and give them the confidence to make better financial decisions, which in turn improves their mental and physical health,” she explains.
A Call to Action: The Role of Young People in Shaping Global Health
Looking ahead, Khushi hopes to see a greater emphasis on culturally informed and holistic health solutions that consider the full context of people’s lives. She believes young people have the power to drive this change by pushing for interdisciplinary approaches that include not just healthcare professionals but also experts from fields like social sciences, business, and community development.
“Young people are the future,” Khushi says. “We have the tools, the data, and the networks to create lasting change. We need to make sure that we’re using our resources to build systems that are not just about medical interventions, but that also address the broader social and economic factors that affect health.”
Khushi’s work provides a hopeful vision for the future of global health, one where equity and cultural sensitivity are at the forefront of health interventions. Through data, strategy, and community-driven efforts, we can create a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable global health system, especially for immigrant communities. Young people have a critical role to play in driving this change, and by leveraging their unique skills and perspectives, they can help turn this vision into a reality.
As Khushi aptly puts it: “Hope comes from knowing that real change is possible and that, through our collective efforts, we can build a better future for everyone.”
A Personal Reflection from the Author
As a brown woman who immigrated to Canada, Khushi’s work and her call for systemic change in global health hit close to home for me. The struggles she outlines, navigating a new country, facing financial instability, and fighting for access to the same opportunities and healthcare as everyone else, are experiences I’ve lived through myself. Immigrants often carry the weight of multiple identities: cultural, economic, and social, which can feel like an invisible burden. These challenges don’t just affect your health; they shape your sense of self-worth and the opportunities available to you. But Khushi’s research isn’t just academic; it is a powerful reminder that hope is not a passive feeling—it is something we can actively create, cultivate, and channel into action.
What makes her message so powerful is that it isn't simply about addressing a gap in healthcare or policy—it is about recognizing and empowering people. It is about understanding that immigrant communities are resilient amidst the adversities they face. They are strong, resourceful, and capable of driving change if given the right tools and support. Having personally witnessed the power of education, mentorship, and community initiatives, I believe, like Khushi, that these are the keys to transformation. They are the foundation of hope, hope that does not wait for change, but makes it happen.
Khushi’s call to action is deeply personal for me because it speaks to something I’ve seen in my own life: we cannot wait for the system to change on its own. The change we need starts with us: individuals, communities, and young people like Khushi who are daring to make a difference. We have the tools, the passion, and the ability to shape a future where healthcare and opportunity are not privileges for the few, but rights for all.
Instilling hope in global health is not just about shifting policies or making healthcare accessible; it is about seeing people as whole individuals, acknowledging their potential, and actively working to remove the barriers they face. It is about creating a world where every immigrant, every marginalized person, can walk into a community centre or a hospital and know that they matter, that they belong, and that help is within reach. It is about showing the next generation that the future is in their hands, and that their collective action can create a world where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive.
The message is clear: change is not only necessary; it is possible. And it starts with us. Each of us takes responsibility for the future we want to see. The question is not whether we can make a difference, but whether we are ready to act on the conviction that we can. Every step we take, no matter how small, is a step towards a more equitable world. This is the power of hope. And this is the future we have the power to build together.
Bhavya Bhushan
is an undergraduate student at McGill University, majoring in Honours Anatomy and Cell Biology. With a strong foundation in cancer research and cellular biology, Bhavya is particularly interested in understanding how cellular processes impact health at a global scale. Her research has included exploring cancer mechanisms, but her passion for global health drives her to focus on how healthcare disparities, especially in marginalized communities, can be addressed through innovative solutions and policy change. Bhavya is committed to advancing healthcare equity and is determined to leverage her scientific background to make a meaningful contribution to improving global health systems and ensuring better access to care for all.