Language Barriers to Flu Vaccinations in Elderly Hispanics
Author Information
Author(s): William S. Pearson, Guixiang Zhao, Earl S. Ford
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is Spanish language preference a barrier to receiving influenza vaccinations among Hispanic persons 65 years and older in the USA?
Conclusion
Elderly Hispanic persons who prefer to communicate in Spanish are significantly less likely to have received influenza vaccinations compared to those who prefer English.
Supporting Evidence
- Elderly Hispanics who prefer Spanish are less likely to receive flu vaccinations.
- Vaccination rates for Spanish speakers remained flat while those for English speakers increased.
- Language preference is a significant barrier to healthcare access among Hispanics.
Takeaway
Older Hispanic people who speak Spanish are less likely to get flu shots than those who speak English, which can be dangerous for their health.
Methodology
Data was gathered from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey over three years, focusing on Hispanic respondents aged 65 and older.
Potential Biases
The survey's landline format may exclude some Hispanic households without telephones.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and self-reported vaccination status may be subject to recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Hispanic persons aged 65 years and older, with a focus on language preference for survey participation.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.01
Confidence Interval
0.48–0.96; 0.38–0.72; 0.38–0.65
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website