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Using a Multilingual AI Care Agent to Reduce Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening for Higher Fecal Immunochemical Test Adoption Among Spanish-Speaking Patients: Retrospective Analysis

  • 0Hippocratic AI, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
Journal of Medical Internet Research +

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June 25, 2025

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June 25, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Multilingual artificial intelligence (AI) significantly boosted colorectal cancer (CRC) screening engagement for Spanish-speaking patients. This AI outreach challenges assumptions about technology disadvantaging non-English speakers, showing higher opt-in rates for CRC screening tests.

Area Of Science

  • Health Informatics
  • Public Health
  • Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower in Hispanic and Latino populations.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare may disadvantage non-English speakers due to bias.
  • Addressing disparities in CRC screening access is crucial.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate a multilingual AI care agent's effectiveness in engaging Spanish-speaking patients for CRC screening.
  • To compare engagement rates between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking patients.
  • To assess AI's role in overcoming language barriers in preventive care.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective analysis of an AI outreach initiative at WellSpan Health.
  • Included 1878 patients (517 Spanish-speaking, 1361 English-speaking) eligible for CRC screening.
  • A multilingual AI agent conducted personalized calls to promote fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit requests.

Main Results

  • Spanish-speaking patients had significantly higher FIT test opt-in rates (18.2% vs 7.1%).
  • Higher connect rates (69.6% vs 53.0%) and longer call durations (6.05 vs 4.03 minutes) were observed in Spanish-speaking patients.
  • Spanish language preference independently predicted higher FIT test opt-in (aOR 2.012).

Conclusions

  • AI-powered outreach significantly improved engagement among Spanish-speaking patients for CRC screening.
  • Language-concordant AI interactions can help reduce disparities in preventive care access.
  • Findings challenge the notion that technology inherently disadvantages non-English-speaking populations.

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