Stratus Video Interpreting Reveals Rising Need For Medical Interpretation Services Among 16 Million Hispanics/Latinos With Limited English Proficiency

With the Affordable Care Act expanding access to healthcare services, Stratus Video Interpreting spotlights the growing need for medical interpretation services among U.S. Hispanic and Latino patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment launch in October 2013, an estimated 4.2 million Hispanic and Latino adults have gained health insurance coverage (1). Given that one-third of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States—about 16 million people—speak English less than “very well” (2), Stratus Video Interpreting (http://www.stratusvideo.com/) predicts that the expanded healthcare access will contribute to an escalating need for medical interpretation services among Spanish-speaking patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Government surveys reveal that Hispanics and Latinos have a greater disposition to certain health issues, so the rising number of insured may lead more people to seek medical treatment for these conditions. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanic and Latino individuals are 65% more likely to have diabetes, 35% more likely to have kidney disease and 15% more likely to have liver disease than non-Hispanic white (NHW) adults (3). CDC records also indicate Hispanics/Latinos are 15% more likely to be overweight or obese, 50% more likely to be physically inactive, and nearly 70% more likely to be in fair or poor health than NHWs (3).

Other CDC studies have shown Hispanics and Latinos have an increased prevalence of certain communicable diseases. Their incidence of tuberculosis is 5 per 100,000 compared to just 0.7 cases per 100,000 for the white population, which translates to a 7 times greater likelihood of developing tuberculosis (4). Furthermore, the estimated rate of new HIV infection among Hispanics/Latinos was more than 3 times as high as for whites, at a prevalence rate of 27.5 versus 8.7 per 100,000 population (5). A study published by the Gerontological Society of America reported that while life expectancy for Hispanics outpaces other ethnic groups, Mexican Americans spend a higher proportion of their later years with some form of disability (6).

Collectively, these health-related concerns point to a rising need for healthcare intervention among Hispanics and Latinos. However, Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking patients may face difficulty obtaining healthcare services in their native language. Stratus previously highlighted studies on the imminent U.S. doctor shortage and the growing gap between the number of Latino physicians in relation to the U.S. Hispanic population, potentially leading to greater communication barriers between LEP patients and their healthcare providers (7).

“Expanded access to healthcare coverage has enormous potential to improve the overall health and well-being of America’s Hispanic and Latino population. But it’s critical for Spanish-speaking patients to receive care in their native language to ensure they understand how to manage their conditions,” said David Fetterolf, President of Stratus Video Interpreting.

Fetterolf notes that language barriers can lead to confusion over a patient’s symptoms, a physician’s directions or a pharmacist’s dosage instructions, as well as misunderstandings regarding the severity of a condition or the recommended course of treatment. He also emphasizes that clarity of communication is essential to help LEP patients navigate the healthcare system and recognize how lifestyle factors can impact their health.

According to Fetterolf, a growing number of hospitals have undertaken efforts to improve equal language access as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. However, smaller healthcare facilities, clinics and doctors’ office may not have the budget for full-time staff interpreters, while larger organizations may not have on-site interpreters available to treat emergency cases after hours.

To help healthcare providers meet the needs of Spanish-speaking LEP patients in any setting and at any time, Stratus offers 24/7 healthcare interpretation services (http://www.stratusvideo.com/healthcare-interpreter-services-overview/)from highly trained and certified medical interpreters. The easy-to-use, on-demand video service allows any member of staff to connect to a qualified interpreter within 30 seconds.

“We enable our partners to provide information, comfort, advocacy and support to people of different languages and cultures in a simple and immediate way,” explained Fetterolf. “Our mission is to help healthcare professionals deliver the highest standard of care to their LEP patients while helping those patients to achieve optimal health.”

About Stratus Video Interpreting
Stratus Video Interpreting provides on-demand interpreter services by using technology to connect clients with interpreters in over 175 spoken and signed languages in less than 30 seconds. Stratus’ cloud-based video solution delivers an array of unique features to virtually any Internet-enabled PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet. Stratus clients use the technology to connect with their own staff interpreters, as well as with Stratus interpreters, who have years of healthcare and courtroom experience and hold multiple certifications. With Stratus, state-of-the-art video remote interpreting is made available with virtually no capital investment. Stratus averages 65,000 video calls a day, up from 40,000 in mid-2013. Stratus Video is the sister company of The Z (CSDVRS, LLC, dba ZVRS), which was established in 2006 and developed by and for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, setting the industry standard as the nation’s premier Video Relay Service Provider and the first VRS Provider to receive a 5-year certification from the FCC. In 2014, Stratus was recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies, ranking #3,827 on Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5000 list. For more information, visit www.stratusvideo.com.

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health Insurance Coverage and the Affordable Care Act; March 16, 2015. aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2015/uninsured_change/ib_uninsured_change.pdf
2. U.S. Census Bureau. “Nativity by Language Spoken at Home by Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over (Hispanic or Latino)”; 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; report generated via American FactFinder; accessed April 24, 2015. factfinder2.census.gov
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012; February 2014. cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_260.pdf
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2013; October 2014. cdc.gov/tb/statistics/reports/2013/pdf/report2013.pdf
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HIV Among Latinos; March 2015. cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/risk_latino2.pdf
6. The Gerontological Society of America. “Mexican Americans Confront High Disability Rates in Later Life”; March 26, 2015. geron.org/press-room/press-releases/2015-press-releases/430-mexican-americans-confront-high-disability-rates-in-later-life
7. Stratus Video Interpreting. “U.S. Facing 90,000 Doctor Shortage: Stratus Video Interpreting Highlights Growing Language Gap Between Doctors and Spanish-Speaking Patients”; April 16, 2015. prweb.com/releases/2015/04/prweb12660190.htm