C. Breakout Sessions

3. Language Access

Public Opinion Survey of California Immigrants from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East on Health Care Issues

Sandy Close, New California Media

New California Media conducted a survey of 1200 immigrant adult residents of California between May 30th and June 25th of 2003 on their attitudes toward and experience with California's health care system. Interviews were conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Cambodian, Hmong, Armenian, Persian, Russian and Spanish.

Ms. Close presented the following summary of the results of the survey:

California immigrants rate medical care as the number one issue. Their level of satisfaction with the quality of health care in the state is substantially lower than that of the general population. Koreans and other immigrants reported having had problems getting medical care when they needed it.

While many immigrants reported having regular physicians or clinics where their native language is spoken, large numbers, especially Cambodians and Hmong, have encountered problems and difficulties understanding medical situations based on their inability to effectively communicate with health care professionals. The chance of misunderstanding instructions either from a physician or upon being discharged from the hospital doubles among immigrants who do not speak English well.

A strong majority of California immigrants are unaware of the United States law that gives them the right to an interpreter when they visit a clinic or a hospital. This is especially true for Hmong, Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants.

Substantial percentages of California immigrants, especially Iranians, Hmong, Cambodians and Hispanics, are often confused about how to use their prescription medicines.

Many immigrants also have trouble understanding the labels on their prescription medicines. More than a quarter of immigrants with a poor understanding of English have reported getting sick as a result of this language barrier.

A majority of all California immigrants do not speak English well. Hispanics are at the top of the list with three quarters of them reporting very limited English skills. Nevertheless, most immigrants have taken classes to improve their ability to speak English.

Foreign language media is a prime source of health information for California immigrants. Hispanics and Chinese utilize it the most. Television is the most popular medium followed by newspapers, the Internet and radio.

A substantial percentage of California immigrants do not have any type of health insurance. Hispanics and Koreans are the two immigrant groups most affected by this problem.

This survey clearly documents the barriers to quality health care created by the lack of language access and the importance of establishing a workable system for ensuring interpreter services to limited English speaking Californians.