Spanish-Speaking Immigrants’ Access to Safety Net Providers and Translation Services

Recent demographic trends show that Latino immigrants are moving to “emerging destinations” outside traditional Latino enclaves, especially in the Southeast and Midwest.  Many of these immigrants have limited English proficiency (LEP)—and this can challenge the health care system as translation services may not be readily available, according to a new study in The Milbank Quarterly. Trained auditors posed as family members of LEP patients seeking primary care in a safety net setting. Study authors—Robert A. Nathenson, The Wharton School, Brendan Saloner, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Michael R. Richards, Vanderbilt University, and Karin V. Rhodes, Northwell Health/Hofstra School of Medicine—found lower primary care appointments for LEP adults in emerging destinations compared to traditional destinations.