Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County

Prieto, Juan G., Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County. Master of Public Health (Community Health), April 4, 2006, pp 53, tables 5, bibliography, titles 29. The American healthcare system largely serves English-speakers, but 21 million Latinos in this country speak limited English. This cross-sectional study examines language laws and patient experiences in overcoming communication barriers. The study’s responses suggest lack of awareness of language access rights among Latinos and non-compliance with language laws by some public and private healthcare providers. Communication gaps can result in untreated or misdiagnosed illness, injury or death. However, life-threatening disparities experienced by Latinos could be alleviated if patients learned of their language rights through media campaigns. Medical treatment would drastically improve the hiring, training and supporting bilingual healthcare professionals; through the strengthening the enforcement of language services laws; and through the allocating funds for cultural and linguistic services in healthcare.