Summary
Authors aimed to identify demographic, acculturation, and health care factors associated with self-reported knowledge of the right to medical interpretation among individuals with non-English language preference (NELP) in California.
This study used pooled data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) from 2012 to 2021. Subjects were 12,219 adults with NELP, representing 2,516,157 individuals in California. The primary outcome was self-reported knowledge of the right to medical interpretation. Covariates included demographic, acculturation, and health care factors.
Findings: Of the participants, 28.6% were unaware of their rights to interpretation. Married females had higher odds of knowledge, while recent immigrants (≤5 years in the United States), those with mixed language households, no doctor visits in the past year, no insurance, and those with self-reported poorer health had lower odds. Sociodemographic factors like age, race, ethnicity, education, and geography showed no significant association.
Nearly one-third of individuals with NELP lack awareness of their right to medical interpretation. Factors such as recent immigration, poor health, and limited health care contact are significant barriers. In addition to system and policy level changes, interventions targeting these vulnerable groups are needed to improve health equity and empower patients to use interpreter services.