Study Uncovers the Medical Care Challenges Faced by Limited English Proficiency Individuals during the Covid-19 Pandemic  

A research study conducted by the faculty of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) was recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.  The article titled “Language Proficiency and Delay of Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Low-Income Women in Newark,” highlights the challenges faced by women, with limited English proficiency (LEP) to access care during the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, the study revealed that Spanish speaking individuals with LEP experienced significant delays in care, emphasizing the need for culturally and linguistically tailored healthcare information for equitable access.  

The findings of this manuscript hold important implications for healthcare policy, clinical practice, and advocacy, and address a critical issue in public health for minority and immigrant communities. Understanding how language proficiency affects healthcare access is crucial for providing high quality healthcare and promoting health equity.  

This study was a collaborative effort by researchers from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the California State University - East Bay, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and sponsored by the Hispanic Center of Excellence at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, with funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Authors/Researchers: 
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School 
·         Ana Natale-Pereira, MD, MPH 
·         Luis Alzate-Duque, MD 
California State University - East Bay 
·         Vivian Gonzalez Cueto, PhD 

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine 
·         Victor Cueto, MD, MS