BRIDGING THE GAP: THE IMPACT OF LIMITED LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ON HEALTH LITERACY AND HEALTHCARE EQUITY
Keywords:
Health Literacy, Language Proficiency, Healthcare Communication, Health Equity, Health Disparities, Multilingual Health SystemsAbstract
Health literacy has emerged as a critical determinant of population health outcomes,
influencing individuals’ ability to access, interpret, evaluate, and apply health information in
decision-making. Despite its importance, limited language proficiency continues to constitute a
major structural barrier to health literacy, particularly within multilingual and multicultural health
systems in low- and middle-income countries. This narrative review critically examines the
relationship between limited language proficiency and health literacy, with particular attention to
its implications for healthcare equity. Drawing on global and African scholarship, the paper
synthesizes evidence on how linguistic barriers shape patient-provider communication, influence
comprehension of health information, affect treatment adherence, and contribute to disparities in
health outcomes. The review further interrogates the structural and systemic dimensions of
language-related inequities within healthcare systems. It concludes that addressing these challenges
requires integrated policy reforms, strengthened interpreter services, culturally responsive
healthcare communication, and digital health innovations designed for linguistic inclusivity.
