Health literacy is a key factor in determining patient outcomes, yet language barriers and limited literacy skills continue to hinder effective care for many populations. Medical interpreters are on the front lines of this challenge, not only by interpreting and translating but also by helping bridge cultural and educational gaps in understanding. This presentation explores the profound impact of literacy on patient health—how low literacy contributes to miscommunication, medication errors, decreased treatment adherence, and preventable hospital visits. We will focus on the interpreter’s role in recognizing signs of limited health literacy, understanding how literacy affects the Social Determinants of Health, and finding ways to support healthcare providers in building trust and understanding with limited literacy patients. By strengthening the connection between language access and health literacy, interpreters can be powerful advocates for safer, more equitable care.
Objectives:
-To learn about the various aspects of a person’s health.
-To uncover how literacy affects our patients and their health.
-Understand how to spot literacy issues in patients.
-Find ways in which we can assist patients with limited literacy and improve health outcomes
This FREE program is accredited by CEAP for 1.00 CE hour, CEAP accreditation #10891. IMIA CEU accreditation pending.