NEW YORK CITY, July 9 – The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) testified at the New York City Council Health Committee hearing about language access in pharmacies. NYAM, the only institution of its kind doing this research, presented a set of recommendations based on research conducted by its Health Policy and the Center for Urban Epidemiological Studies (CUES) divisions.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau over 35 percent (2.9 million) of New Yorkers were born in a foreign country, and approximately 20 percent of New York City immigrants have limited English proficiency—over 100 different languages are spoken in New York City. This segment of the population experiences great difficulty maneuvering through the healthcare system. Simple things like being able to read and understand directions can have a significant impact on health. “Imagine, as an English speaker, picking up a prescription with a label in Chinese—you have no idea what it says. Many New York immigrants face such high-risk gaps in our health care services when presented with a medication bottle in English,” said Linda Weiss, PhD, NYAM Senior Research Associate.

The purpose of the hearing was to examine the impact language access in pharmacies can have, and gain a better understanding of what pharmacies can adopt into their business plan.

NYAM’s research began with a phone survey of 200 pharmacies, and found the main reasons for insufficient language services included:

• Even with label making capabilities pharmacists may not be able to catch errors in a language other than their own
• Translation softwares don’t allow you to produce a label that reads in both English and a native language, English is required by law. The software does not cover the gamut of native languages, offering only a few options, and the cost for this service is too high at $10/language/month
• Inability to recognize a patient who may need language services
• Lack of signage offering information about services

NYAM is currently conducting a pilot study of eight New York City pharmacies with preliminary findings showing:

• Using a telephone interpreting service does not add to the time spent with each patient, and both patient and pharmacist satisfaction is high. However, the cost of the service is high at $9 per call.
• Signage conveying available services has improved business.
• Pharmacists are willing to display translated patient information.
• Pharmacists showed a strong interest in receiving interpreter training.

Given these findings the following recommendations were presented at the hearing:

• Enforce language access laws
• Include a check box on prescription pads for physicians to indicate language access need
• Publicize pharmacies equipped to serve those with language barriers
• Contract for a reduced fee for both translation software and the phone interpreter.

NYAM is very pleased to be working with New York City Council, Health Committee on improving pharmacy services for New Yorkers with language barriers.

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) has been advancing the health of people in cities since 1847. An independent organization, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research. Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are to create environments in cities that support healthy aging; to strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public’s health; and to implement interventions that eliminate health disparities.

Posted on 07/09/2008

Contact:
Malini Doddamani
Director of Communications
mdoddamani@nyam.org
212.822.7285