Improving Latino Health Equity Through Spanish Language Interpreter Advocacy in Kansas ↗
Rachel E. Showstack, Kelly Guzman, Amy K Chesser, Nikki Keene Woods
Abstract
Introduction: Federal law requires any agency receiving federal aid to take “reasonable steps” to provide meaningful access to qualified limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. However, policies for the provision of language access services, including medical interpretation, vary substantially by state. The Latino population and the number of LEP individuals in the U.S. state of Kansas have grown substantially over the past 20 years, necessitating increased attention to the state’s language access policies.
Method: Though a review of previous research, we present health disparities affecting Latinos in Kansas, examine the state’s language access policies for health care, and argue that health disparities could be reduced through improved language access.
Findings: While Kansas reimburses health care entities for interpreter services associated with Medicaid, the state has no health care interpreter competency requirements. As a result, LEP persons, primarily Spanish speakers, may be left to navigate through complex hospital systems with inadequate guidance in their language and may be at an increased risk for medical errors due to language barriers.
Conclusion: We suggest changes that could be implemented to improve access and reduce health disparities affecting Latinos in Kansas and across the United States, and we describe work that is currently underway to support these changes.
Keywords: Latino health; health care language policy; health equity; health literacy; interpreters; language access.
Language as a Social Determinant of Health: Partnerships for Health Equity (2021) ↗
Emily M. Feuerherm, Rachel Showstack, Maricel G. Santos Glenn A. Martínez
Abstract
Despite the commitment of applied linguistics research to investigate language use in real-world contexts, applied linguists have struggled to make their work accessible and relevant outside academia. Acknowledging that the field has not yet reached its full potential, this book demonstrates how applied linguists can utilize their knowledge and methods to explore contemporary social problems beyond the borders of their own discipline, to have a valuable impact on other fields, local communities and the general public. Drawing on theories, methods and methodologies in applied linguistics, chapters address pressing concerns such as equal access to education for immigrants, science education in preschool dual-language contexts, healthcare delivery to refugee families, gendered language in disability studies and social sustainability initiatives. The diversity of research contexts shows how the work of applied linguists can have tangible social impact and help to influence meaningful change. By increasing public awareness of language-related issues affecting society, this book responds to a vital gap in the field and marks and important step towards a more socially-engaged, accessible and inclusive approach to applied linguistics.