Knowledge of Interpreter Rights and Medication Delays in Diabetes Care

To examine the association between knowledge of interpreter rights and diabetes care quality and health care utilization among adults with non-English language preference (NELP) in California. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using pooled data from the 2015–2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The study included adults with NELP, self-reported diabetes, and a usual source of care. The primary exposure was self-reported knowledge of rights to free medical interpretation. Outcomes included self-reported receipt of hemoglobin A1c, eye, and foot exams; delays or forgone medical care or prescription medications; and measures of health care utilization. Survey weighted Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for sociodemographic, health, and utilization-related covariates. Among 2,379 adults with diabetes and NELP (representing an average annual weighted population of 508,871), 76.6% reported knowledge of interpreter rights. In unadjusted analyses, lack of knowledge was associated with a higher likelihood of delayed prescribed medications (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.20–2.58). This association persisted after adjustment (aRR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24–2.63). No significant associations were observed for other diabetes care metrics or health care utilization outcomes. Associations did not differ by diabetes type. Among adults with diabetes and NELP, lack of knowledge of interpreter rights was associated with delays in obtaining prescribed medications. Interpreter rights awareness may represent a modifiable factor to improve engagement in communication-dependent aspects of diabetes care and advance language equity in health care delivery.