Medication Nonadherence in the Latino Population, Language Barriers and Considerations

Medication adherence is a major public health concern that results in poor health outcomes and significantly increased health care costs. Medication nonadherence rates appear to be higher in non-white patients, including Latino patients. Spanish-speaking patients may receive insufficient care and incur greater negative health outcomes because of language barriers, and medication nonadherence is a contributing factor to this problem. The effect of language barriers on medication adherence will be discussed as well as practitioner considerations for addressing the challenge.