Language Barriers Keep Hispanics from Care
Good news on breaking down language barriers for Hispanic patients? No, not really, according to a survey funded by a supplemental medical insurance provider, Aflac.
In the national 2023 study of Spanish-speaking patients, a third of the 2,001 employed adults surveyed said language is an obstacle in their path toward meeting medical needs and understanding insurance policies.
Some key findings include:
- Language Barrier Impact — Language barriers prevent 31% of Hispanics from accessing preventive care resources such as blood tests, pap smears, mammograms, STDs, skin cancer, and colonoscopies.
- Skipping Checkups — The study found that 25% of Hispanics skip regular checkups. Reasons cited include lack of insurance, uncovered costs, and labor disputes.
- Demanding Better Care — More than 60 percent of Hispanic respondents said that healthcare providers and organizations need to better engage and educate the Latino community on the benefits of being proactive with their health and wellness.
- Gender Dynamics — Hispanic men have a more positive outlook on their current and future health compared to women, especially on issues such as controlling their current weight/BMI (64% vs. 45%); financial health (57% vs. 44%); mental health (71% vs. 62%); and physical health (77% vs. 63%).