Abstract: Bangladeshi immigrants constitute one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. Approximately 54% of this group are classified as having Limited-English Proficiency (LEP), which means they speak English less than ‘very well.’ Facilitating good communication between this group and healthcare providers is a key feature of healthcare and health equity. Federally funded healthcare facilities are legally mandated to provide interpreters for patients with LEP, yet most do not have adequate translation services. The experience of Bangladeshi immigrants with medical translation services has not been studied, so this project asks: what experiences do Bangladeshi immigrants have as they navigate the healthcare system in New York City? To answer this question, I will conduct and analyze 10 in-depth interviews, as well as a community-wide survey that explores Bangladeshi-immigrants’ experiences in community healthcare settings in New York City, specifically their relationships to healthcare providers and medical translation services. To understand and contextualize these experiences, I will analyze them through the lens of critical race theory and the Bangladeshi diaspora, and the social determinants of health. This research will enhance the understanding of the current experiences of the Bangladeshi community, and can hopefully be a resource to improve translation services to benefit this group.
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