Strategies to promote language inclusion at 17 CTSA hubs

Linda Sprague Martinez; Cristina Araujo Brinkerhoff; Riana C Howard; James A Feldman; Erin Kobetz; J Tommy White; Laurene Tumiel Berhalter; Alicia Bilheimer; Megan Hoffman; Carmen R Isasi; Cynthia Killough; Julia Martinez; Johanna Chesley; Arshiya A Baig; Capri Foy; Nadia Islam; Antonia Petruse; Carolina Rosales; Michele D Kipke; Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati; Tracy A Battaglia; Rebecca Lobb

doi:10.1017/cts.2024.13

Strategies to promote language inclusion at 17 CTSA hubs

J Clin Transl Sci. 2024 Mar 25;8(1):e67. doi: 10.1017/cts.2024.13. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Linda Sprague Martinez^{1

2}, Cristina Araujo Brinkerhoff^{1

2}, Riana C Howard^{1

2}, James A Feldman^{2

3}, Erin Kobetz⁴, J Tommy White⁵, Laurene Tumiel Berhalter^{6

7}, Alicia Bilheimer⁵, Megan Hoffman⁸, Carmen R Isasi^{9

10}, Cynthia Killough¹¹, Julia Martinez¹¹, Johanna Chesley³, Arshiya A Baig¹², Capri Foy¹³, Nadia Islam¹⁴, Antonia Petruse¹⁵, Carolina Rosales¹⁶, Michele D Kipke¹⁷, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati¹⁷, Tracy A Battaglia^{2

3}, Rebecca Lobb²

Affiliations

¹ Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA, USA.
² Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
³ Boston Medical Center Health System, Boston, MA, USA.
⁴ University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Miami, FL, USA.
⁵ North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁶ Dept of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
⁷ University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
⁸ University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
⁹ Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
¹⁰ The Harold and Muriel Block Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), New York, NY, USA.
¹¹ Clinical and Translational Science Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
¹² Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Center for Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
¹³ Wake Forrest University School of Medicine Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
¹⁴ New York Langone University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, New York, NY, USA.
¹⁵ Clinical and Translational Science Institute Office of Clinical Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
¹⁶ University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA.
¹⁷ Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Abstract

The prioritization of English language in clinical research is a barrier to translational science. We explored promising practices to advance the inclusion of people who speak languages other than English in research conducted within and supported by NIH Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs. Key informant interviews were conducted with representatives (n = 24) from CTSA hubs (n = 17). Purposive sampling was used to identify CTSA hubs focused on language inclusion. Hubs electing to participate were interviewed via Zoom. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze interview transcripts. We report on strategies employed by hubs to advance linguistic inclusion and influence institutional change that were identified. Strategies ranged from translations, development of culturally relevant materials and consultations to policies and procedural changes and workforce initiatives. An existing framework was adapted to conceptualize hub strategies. Language justice is paramount to bringing more effective treatments to all people more quickly. Inclusion will require institutional transformation and CTSA hubs are well positioned to catalyze change.

Keywords: Clinical and translational research; language justice; limited english proficiency; linguistic inclusion.