Language preference as a predictor of access to and use of healthcare services among Hispanics in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine if Spanish language preference was significantly associated with barriers to healthcare services among a nationally representative sample of Hispanic persons in the United States.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of secondary data. Differences in outcomes between those responding in Spanish and those responding in English were tested using chi-square analyses and multiple logistic regression models.


METHODS
Nationally representative sample of US adults responding to the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.


METHODS
Respondents identifying themselves as Hispanic (n = 20,400).


METHODS
Four health care outcomes including health insurance coverage, having a personal health care provider, forgoing care because of cost, and having a routine check-up within the past five years.


RESULTS
Those responding in Spanish were less likely to have healthcare coverage, less likely to have a personal healthcare provider, and less likely to have had a routine check-up within the past five years. No difference was found for indicating that cost was a barrier to receiving care in this model.


CONCLUSIONS
Disparities in healthcare access exist between Hispanic persons in the United States whose language preference is Spanish and those whose language preference is English. In an effort to achieve Healthy People 2010 goals and to provide care to all persons in the United States, barriers to care, such as language preference, should be addressed more fully in our healthcare system.
Pearson
William S
WS
Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS-K66, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. wpearson@cdc.gov
Ahluwalia
Indu B
IB
Ford
Earl S
ES
Mokdad
Ali H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States