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This is an abstract. The full journal study is available to read via the link in the source information below.

Background

Effective communication is essential to executing a robust public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Language concordance, defined as clinician or public health worker fluency in a patient's primary language, is an important factor in clinical practice and public health.

Methods

We evaluated the impact of language concordance -- clinician or public health worker fluency in a patient's primary language -- on COVID-19 contact tracing outcomes among 2,668 Spanish-speaking adults in San Francisco.

Results

Language concordance was associated with 20% greater odds of COVID-19 testing and 53% greater odds of support service referrals.

Conclusions

Language-concordant contact tracing was associated with greater likelihood that Spanish-speaking contacts completed COVID-19 testing and received referrals for isolation and quarantine support services, both of which are critical to prevent onward COVID-19 transmission. These findings highlight the importance of language concordance in the ongoing COVID-19 public health response.

Read an interview about the study here.

The full text of this study can be accessed via the source information below.