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Changing Demographics Affecting Healthcare Organizations

There’s no doubt about it—changes in the immigrant population of the United States are first seen in healthcare organizations. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 1-in-every-3 U.S. residents is part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white. In 2005, the nation’s minority population totaled 98 million, or 33 percent, of the country’s total of 296.4 million. Much of this increase is due to immigration, and it’s critical that hospitals and clinics adapt along with these changes. In order to offer health services and care to Limited English Proficient communities, healthcare organizations will face a particular challenge in making sure equal access is offered to all members of the community.

Population for Hispanic, Asian, and Black Communities

The greatest change in population has occurred in the Hispanic population. Hispanics accounted for almost half (or 49 percent) of the national population growth of 2.8 million between 2004 and 2005. Of those 1.3 million Hispanics, 500,000 were new immigrants. The Hispanic population was much younger in terms of median age compared to the population as a whole. About a third of the Hispanic population was under 18, compared with one-fourth of the total population. With a 3.3 percent increase in population from 2004 to 2005, they are the fastest-growing group.

The Asian population also saw a steady increase with a rise of 3 percent from 2004 to 2005 time period. The Asian population increased by 421,000; recent immigrants making up 239,000. About 26 percent of the Asian population was under 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population. These numbers indicate the growing importance of translating into languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong.

The African-American population saw an increase of 496,000 people between 2004 and 2005. Only 18 percent of this increase is due to immigration. Even though this group has a lower immigration rate compared to other ethnic groups since 1990, voluntary African immigration is higher than it has ever been. Nigeria and Ghana have high numbers of immigrants to New York for example, but immigrants have also moved to metropolitan Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Somalis especially have moved to communities in Minnesota, Maine and Oregon.

Adapting to Change Within Healthcare Organizations

A continuing effort is being made to reach out to all three of these general groups of patients and their families. Historically, immigrant groups and Limited English Proficient individuals have not always had access to health insurance, for example. Whether through a lack of knowledge about the healthcare system in the U.S. or because of immigration status, providing translated healthcare material to these groups can be essential for their well-being and survival in their newly adopted country.

Translation and interpretation services often receive a crash course in localizing healthcare material to different cultures and different levels of health knowledge. This level of cultural knowledge and the backgrounds of professional translators can be invaluable to your organization. A good translation agency can advise you on the best presentation method and style for these cultures.


	viaLanguage Translation Articles Changing Demographics Affecting Healthcare Organizations There’s no doubt about it—changes in the immigrant population of the United States are first seen in healthcare organizations. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 1-in-every-3 U.S. residents is part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white. In 2005, the nation’s minority population totaled 98 million, or 33 percent, of the country’s total of 296.4 million. Much of this increase is due to immigration, and it’s critical that hospitals and clinics adapt along with these changes. In order to offer health services and care to Limited English Proficient communities, healthcare organizations will face a particular challenge in making sure equal access is offered to all members of the community. Population for Hispanic, Asian, and Black Communities The greatest change in population has occurred in the Hispanic population. Hispanics accounted for almost half (or 49 percent) of the national population growth of 2.8 million between 2004 and 2005. Of those 1.3 million Hispanics, 500,000 were new immigrants. The Hispanic population was much younger in terms of median age compared to the population as a whole. About a third of the Hispanic population was under 18, compared with one-fourth of the total population. With a 3.3 percent increase in population from 2004 to 2005, they are the fastest-growing group. The Asian population also saw a steady increase with a rise of 3 percent from 2004 to 2005 time period. The Asian population increased by 421,000; recent immigrants making up 239,000. About 26 percent of the Asian population was under 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population. These numbers indicate the growing importance of translating into languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong. The African-American population saw an increase of 496,000 people between 2004 and 2005. Only 18 percent of this increase is due to immigration. Even though this group has a lower immigration rate compared to other ethnic groups since 1990, voluntary African immigration is higher than it has ever been. Nigeria and Ghana have high numbers of immigrants to New York for example, but immigrants have also moved to metropolitan Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Somalis especially have moved to communities in Minnesota, Maine and Oregon. Adapting to Change Within Healthcare Organizations A continuing effort is being made to reach out to all three of these general groups of patients and their families. Historically, immigrant groups and Limited English Proficient individuals have not always had access to health insurance, for example. Whether through a lack of knowledge about the healthcare system in the U.S. or because of immigration status, providing translated healthcare material to these groups can be essential for their well-being and survival in their newly adopted country. Translation and interpretation services often receive a crash course in localizing healthcare material to different cultures and different levels of health knowledge. This level of cultural knowledge and the backgrounds of professional translators can be invaluable to your organization. A good translation agency can advise you on the best presentation method and style for these cultures.