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Beyond Words: A Call to Action for Language Inclusivity in Prospective Research
Dorothy Sheu1,2, Joseph Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula3,4, Mireille Jacobson5,6,7
1Behavioral Economics to Transform Trial Enrollment Representativeness (BETTER) Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Clinical trials must improve language inclusivity for non-English language preference (NELP) individuals. Addressing barriers and implementing interventions can enhance research representativeness and reduce healthcare inequities.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Clinical Trials
- Health Equity
Background:
- The population preferring non-English languages at home (NELP) has tripled in the USA over 40 years.
- Less than 3% of clinical trials offer translation, and 19% require English proficiency.
- Excluding NELP communities limits trial generalizability, patient-centered care, and deepens health inequities.
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