Healthcare Disparities and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Primary Language and Translations of Visitor Policies at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Abstract Context COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruptions to cancer care, including through strict hospital visitation policies. Since a substantial proportion of the US population report a non-English language as their primary language, it is critical that information is disseminated in multiple languages. Objective To examine the availability of language translations of visitation restrictions on adult NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs) websites. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of visitation policies abstracted from public-facing websites of CCCs in June 2020. Using US Census data, CCC's city and state proportions of self-identifying Hispanic/Latinx population were categorized into 3 cohorts: low ( 20%). Results As of June 2020, all 50 CCCs published a COVID-19 visitation policy on their website. Of these, 33 (66%) posted policies only in English while 17 (34%) included one or more non-English translations. A minority of CCCs published Spanish language resources, which did not differ based on state or city demographics: for example, only 42% (8 of 19), 10% (1 of 10), and 38% (8 of 21) of CCCs published Spanish language resources in cities with low, moderate, and high Hispanic/Latinx populations respectively. Conclusions Most CCC's did not publish non-English language  translations of their visitor policies. Even in cities and states with larger Hispanic/Latinx populations, most CCCs did not publish resources in Spanish. This study highlights a key opportunity to mitigate communication barriers and deliver culturally competent, patient-centered care.