3 Things to Know:

1. Language is a Social Determinant of Health (SDoH). Research has shown “a positive correlation between limited literacy and chronic conditions including diabetes and cancer.” The CHC mission calls for websites translated in a way that improves health literacy and therefore population health.
2. Translation = Accessibility. The Affordable Care Act requires translation and interpretation services for limited English proficiency (LEP) patients. 
3. You have choices. If your site is not translated or under-translated, there are 3 initial directions to consider:
   1. Machine translation (Google), a low-cost, speedy option that has drawbacks- healthcare uses semi-technical language that these machine translators don’t always get right.
   2. Manual translation of your entire website, the best UX and highest cost.
   3. A hybrid of machine translation and manual translation (where needed).
   4. Translated landing pages and mini-sites, limited but targeted and focused. Other options include: In-person translation or video, audio, and printed work in different languages.

About the drinkcaffeine Health Center Website Study:

• A sample of 237 Community Health Center websites nationally
• Each one evaluated on 12 essential performance criteria
• Confidence interval/Margin of Error: 5.8% with 95% confidence

When you’re ready to use data to solve healthcare communications problems, contact us.