White Paper: Language Access and Health in Western North Carolina - Overview, Cost and Strategic Recommendations

A lack of health literacy, language, and hearing ability can contribute to medication errors, delayed care, avoidable emergency department visits, and hospital readmissions. In this new report, prepared by NC Center for Health and Wellness Research Assistant Andrew Rainey, we look at language and communication access as part of healthcare infrastructure and examines practical ways WNC can improve both access and efficiency.