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Language and Health Equity during COVID-19: Lessons and Opportunities

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Racial and ethnic health inequities have been magnified during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Linguistic barriers are a recognized source of health inequities for ethnic minority communities whose health communication needs cannot be adequately met in the majority language. Emergency circumstances, such as respiratory distress and end-of-life care, carry elevated risk of medical error due to miscommunication and are increasingly common during the current pandemic. We have identified three key opportunities to improve health equity for linguistic minority populations as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis: patient and clinician language data collection in health systems, linguistically and culturally appropriate public health messaging, and health care workforce communication skills education.

Source: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2020.0114

Authors: Pilar Ortega, Glenn Martínez, Lisa Diamond

Institutions: University of Illinois Chicago, The Ohio State University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute