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During Hispanic Heritage Month, T1D Exchange aims to raise awareness about the importance of language in accessing equitable diabetes care. While Hispanic Americans share the fundamental right to equal healthcare services, many face barriers to receiving the care they rightfully deserve. 

Whether or not you’re left wondering if a healthcare provider will speak the same language as you — this is the reality for many of our Hispanic community members, and it’s often an overlooked challenge.   

It’s widely understood that socioeconomic standing — an individual’s status in society based on occupation, education, and income — can influence a person’s ability to receive adequate diabetes care. We also know that individuals who do not speak English as their first language face an additional challenge when navigating the U.S. healthcare system.  

Let’s take a closer look at how language services affect the care of our Hispanic community members living with diabetes and how you can advocate for fair access to healthcare for yourself and others.  

 

What population may require professional interpreting services? 

The U.S. Hispanic population is growing rapidly. In 2020, 19% of Americans identified as Hispanic, making it the second-largest ethnic group in the U.S. By 2060, it’s expected that nearly 28% of Americans will identify as Hispanic. 

Not only do Hispanic individuals make up a large portion of the U.S. population, but they’re also diagnosed with diabetes at higher rates than non-Hispanic White and Asian adults. In 2020, the CDC shared nearly 12% of Hispanic adults living in the U.S. had been diagnosed with diabetes. 

It’s also important to consider that 30% of Hispanics have limited English proficiency (LEP). This means an individual with LEP doesn’t use English as their primary language and may find speaking, reading, or writing in English difficult. As of 2021, 63% of the LEP population was Spanish-speaking. 

Finding a Spanish-speaking healthcare provider can be difficult for these individuals. Only 6% of U.S. physicians identify as Hispanic, and only 2% of non-Hispanic practitioners are bilingual. 

 

What are the barriers to care for Hispanic populations? 

U.S. Hispanic populations may face unequal healthcare experiences based on: 

  • Race 
  • Ethnicity 
  • Insurance status 
  • Educational attainment 
  • Language barriers 
  • Provider bias 

 

It’s important to consider these potential disparities because they truly matter.  

Research from the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative shows that youth and adult populations of non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have higher A1C values than non-Hispanic populations. This is thought to be due, in part, to differences in income and access to diabetes technology. 

Moreover, Latino individuals with LEP and Latino-English speakers have been found to have higher A1C percentages than non-Hispanic Whites. 

Interestingly, when LEP individuals could communicate with their providers in Spanish, they had more in-range glucose values than those who could not. In other words, speaking the same language as a healthcare provider improved glucose values in Latino LEP patients living with diabetes.  

This means when socioeconomic needs and language barriers are addressed in healthcare, they can help improve quality of life and prevent complications associated with diabetes self-management.  

 

Overcoming language barriers to improve diabetes care 

All of this may have you wondering exactly what a “medical interpreter” is. A medical interpreter is a professional who receives specialized training to aid with interpretation (spoken language) and translation (written language) services during healthcare appointments.  

As a provider or person receiving care, you may encounter a medical interpreter who is physically or virtually present during the visit. 

Medical interpreters provide culturally competent language services, supporting the healthcare experience and helping to improve health outcomes. Not having access to linguistic services, as an individual with LEP, can decrease the effectiveness of healthcare.  

While working as a medical interpreter, individuals living with diabetes were often relieved when I entered the room alongside their healthcare provider. After their visits, they would express their gratitude for having high-quality interpretation services, saying they felt understood by their provider and well-represented as individuals.  

Studies have shown that removing communication barriers can improve healthcare delivery and patient safety, increasing overall satisfaction. Addressing linguistic differences is important, as they can add to other social determinants of health and further limit access to equitable healthcare services for individuals with LEP. 

 

I don’t speak English well — how can I advocate for myself? 

  • Know your rights. If you get care at a clinic or hospital that receives federal funding, they must provide access to a medical interpreter at no extra cost to you. This is outlined in Executive Order 13166 and includes services provided by Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Allow your community to help. Asking a bilingual family member or friend to help bridge the language gap could improve your access to linguistic services. Medical vocabulary is complex, and connecting with a medical interpreter will ensure that important information is shared correctly. 
  • Find a healthcare provider you trust. Your healthcare provider and support staff should serve as your advocates. Expressing your need for language services to a member of your healthcare system will help connect you with additional support. 
  • Seek sources in Spanish. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now offers Spanish-language diabetes resources. 

 

Key Takeaways 

Advocacy is essential for a LEP individual or provider. It helps ensure the language support someone rightfully deserves is available during a healthcare encounter. Studies suggest that adequate linguistic access can improve healthcare delivery.

Research also highlights the benefits of linguistic access to avoid contributing to health disparities in Latino populations living with diabetes. When caregivers do not speak the same language, professional interpreting services can bridge the gap, resulting in improved experiences and outcomes.

As a nation, it is important to recognize the additional obstacles that Hispanic populations face, especially concerning diabetes management. By addressing and overcoming these barriers healthcare becomes more accessible for all.