Jefferson Health Awarded $375K Grant To Expand Language Access

Press release from Jefferson Health:

Nov. 2, 2022

Jefferson Health – New Jersey, part of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, has been awarded a $375,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) to increase language access services to patients throughout Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties.

According to HHS, 26 million people across the U.S. have limited English Proficiency (LEP), and recent U.S. Census data shows nearly 31,500 LEP individuals across Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington Counties speak English “less than well” or “not at all.” Jefferson Health’s hospital is examining readmission data for acute care, and there is a need to improve language access, advocacy, and education for these community members.

Jefferson Health is one of eleven grant recipients nationally. This three-year initiative will enable Jefferson to effectively promote equitable access to language services by:

· Increasing awareness of language interpreter services for healthcare professionals, along with patients and families they serve.

· Partnering with community-based organizations that serve the LEP community, by providing in-person and webinar-based education about patient rights, language access, and how to improve health outcomes.

· Using technology through a partnership with a digital health company, to educate and train healthcare professionals and community members.

Jefferson Health’s multi-tiered program will ultimately be a “win-win” for all involved, according to principal investigator, Dr. Cindy Hou.

“Those with limited English proficiency too often face discrimination when seeking healthcare,” said Dr. Hou, Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Infection Control Officer & Medical Director of Research. “This language barrier can result in patient-provider misinformation or result in people foregoing care altogether. This grant will enable our healthcare organization to truly improve the lives of those we serve by eliminating barriers to equitable care.”

This press release was produced by Jefferson Health. The views expressed here are the author's own.