Interpreting Health: Language and Cultural Barriers for Immigrants at NYC Hospitals

Series produced by Sarah Kramer

Caption: Elmhurst Hospital, Credit: Sarah Kate Kramer
Image by: Sarah Kate Kramer 
Elmhurst Hospital 

One out of four New Yorkers doesn't speak or understand complex sentences in English. But at some point in their lives, every one of them will need to see a doctor.

Language and cultural barriers can result in misdiagnoses, medication errors, and potentially fatal mistakes that are costly for both patients and providers. For this reason, hospitals in New York are required to provide “meaningful language access” to all patients. But in a city where there's a plurality of cultures, and more than 140 different languages are spoken, this is no easy task.


2 Pieces

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Caption: Halima holds her health insurance card, Credit: Sarah Kate Kramer
Cultural sensitivity has become a necessary instrument in providing medical care for the city's immigrant population.

  • Added: May 02, 2010
  • Length: 08:04
Caption: Interpretation Sign, Credit: Sarah Kate Kramer
One out of four New Yorkers doesn't speak or understand complex sentences in English. But at some point in their lives, every one of them will need...

Bought by KVNF and WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: May 02, 2010
  • Length: 08:15
  • Purchases: 2