The Role of Language Services in Achieving Health Equity

Updated on January 14, 2025

Health equity isn’t just a buzzword or a box to tick on a compliance form—it’s a matter of life and health for millions of patients. 

With healthcare regulations like Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) focusing on health equity and value-based care models now requiring providers to address disparities, the stakes have never been higher for ensuring equitable access to care.

For limited-English-proficiency (LEP) individuals and those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the ability to access quality care is often a daily struggle, marked by miscommunication, mistrust, and missed opportunities for treatment. Solving these disparities demands far more than meeting minimum standards. It requires a bold, comprehensive approach that weaves robust language services into the very fabric of healthcare delivery.

For healthcare providers, investing in culturally and linguistically appropriate care is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic advantage. Studies demonstrate that tailored language services can enhance patient satisfaction, reduce readmission rates, and improve treatment adherence. These outcomes contribute to operational efficiency and align with the industry’s growing emphasis on value-based care models.

I grew up in a Haitian Creole household and have always understood the urgency of addressing language barriers. I have witnessed firsthand how linguistic and cultural divides can alienate and negatively impact patients, including my own relatives. This personal perspective has always helped me push the importance of empowering individuals to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. Providing qualified interpreters and bilingual staff is just one part of the solution– but creating a patient-centered environment that respects cultural differences and builds trust is equally vital.

However, compliance alone does not equal equity. Simply providing interpreter services or multilingual materials is insufficient to address the complex needs of diverse patient populations. Instead, organizations need to be knowledgeable about the languages in their communities and 

Effective language services should be integrated into a broader framework that includes culturally competent care programs, personalized health education, and community outreach initiatives. For example, developing health education materials in multiple languages—including languages not frequently spoken—and tailoring them to specific cultural contexts can significantly enhance accessibility and patient engagement. Health systems could start by looking at the top languages for their state, and pick the top languages spoken to support. 

Marketing language services within communities is another critical step. Healthcare organizations must collaborate with community-based and faith-based organizations to build trust and awareness. 

Employing staff who represent the cultural and linguistic diversity of the communities they serve can further bridge gaps and foster inclusivity. These efforts not only improve health outcomes but also strengthen relationships with patients, ultimately enhancing organizational reputation and loyalty.

The financial implications of health equity cannot be overlooked. As language services transition from being seen as a cost center to a value-generating function, healthcare providers can unlock new revenue opportunities. 

Reduced readmissions, shorter hospital stays, and higher patient satisfaction scores all contribute to financial sustainability. Organizations that prioritize health equity are better positioned to attract funding from grants and partnerships focused on social determinants of health.

Leveraging data analytics is another transformative approach. By tracking key metrics (patient satisfaction, follow-up compliance, and readmission rates for LEP and deaf or hard-of-hearing patients, providers can identify gaps and tailor interventions. Data-driven language services not only improve patient outcomes but also support compliance during audits and regulatory reviews.

Health equity isn’t about checking boxes or meeting minimum standards—it’s about rethinking care at its core. To truly serve all patients, healthcare organizations must embrace bold, innovative strategies that go beyond compliance to indeed serve all kinds of patients—from the hard of hearing to the many different languages people speak. 

Comprehensive language access programs are just one critical piece of this transformation, enabling providers to break through barriers and build trust with patients who have long been underserved.

Meeting patients where they are—linguistically, culturally, and personally—isn’t just a step toward equity, but it is the bedrock of compassionate, effective care. 

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Ionita Delaney
Ionita Delaney
Senior Director, Strategic Partnership Solutions at AMN Language Services

Ionita is a senior healthcare leader at AMN Language Services helping to transform organizations, simplifying complexity to fuel patient experiences and driving business growth.