Problems with English Keep Many Hispanics from Medical Care

	Tweet

Only about 49 percent of Hispanics who are not comfortable speaking English have a regular source of medical care, such as a family doctor or community health clinic, compared to 63 percent of Hispanics who speak English proficiently, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. About 6 of every 10 Hispanics with limited English proficiency are also uninsured compared with 3 of every 10 Hispanics who speak English proficiently.

AHRQ’s analysis, based on 2004 statistics, also found:

o About 46 percent of Hispanics with limited English proficiency visited a doctor or clinic compared to 58 percent of those who spoke English proficiently.

o About 9 percent of Hispanics with limited English proficiency went to an emergency room compared to 13 percent who spoke English proficiently.

o About 41 percent of Hispanics with limited English proficiency had prescriptions filled compared to 51 percent who spoke English proficiently.

o About 16 percent of Hispanics with limited English proficiency visited a dentist compared to 30 percent who spoke English proficiently.

This AHRQ News and Numbers is based on data in Demographics and Health Care Access of Limited-English-Proficient and English-Proficient Hispanics. For additional information on Hispanic health care disparities, see AHRQ’s 2007 National Health Disparities Report.

To learn about AHRQ’s new public service campaign to encourage adult Hispanics to visit their doctor for preventive care go to (broadcast video is available).

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

RELATED STORIES:
Medicare payments to US hospitals not correct: study   Diagnostic Errors: the New Focus of Patient Safety Experts   Vietnamese relatives have bird flu, no symptoms   China halts nearly half dairy producers in quality crackdown   More than half of Americans use Internet for health   Existing Call Centers Can Expand Communications in Public Health Emergencies   More nurses improves the quality of hospital care   Beaches, parks off limits to New York smokers   USDA denies allegations of more mad cow cases   Study Examines Quality and Duration of Primary Care Visits   Few drive well while yakking on cell phones   Mail order drugs could save U.S. billions

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]