According to the Census Bureau, we communicate in over 350 languages in this country. Those many languages enrich our communities but can also present a barrier to attaining health equity and access to food.
According to the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, an estimated 21.6 percent of the US population age five and older spoke a language other than English at home. Language and literacy are considered Social Determinants of Health – nonmedical factors that can significantly influence health outcomes over the course of a person’s life.
When English is not your first language, it can be challenging to navigate the web of healthcare and community services essential to meeting basic needs. This challenge is only exacerbated for immigrants, refugees, and individuals from marginalized communities who may also face additional barriers to access such as limited financial resources and lack of consistent transportation.
Within the healthcare system, language barriers can lead to miscommunication between patients and medical professionals. They can make it difficult for patients to express their health concerns, understand care instructions, and receive appropriate treatment, potentially resulting in patients avoiding or delaying important medical care. Those who identify as having limited English proficiency are less likely to have a usual place to go when sick or in need of preventive care.
What suggestions do you have for improving health care and health outcomes across cultures?
About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.
The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 42 million pounds of food in 2023. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 240 partner agencies including on-site meal programs, homeless shelters, and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, visit the Lowcountry Food Bank website.
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