Association between Preferred Language and Risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Children in the United States

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Sep 1;105(5):1261-1264. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0779.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Hispanic, and other individuals of color, although data on the effect of a person's language on SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited. Considering the barriers suffered by immigrants and non-English-speaking families, we tested whether children with a preferred language other than English was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children from families with a preferred language other than English had a higher predicted probability of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity (adjusted odds ratio, 3.76; 95% CI, 2.07-6.67) during the first wave of the pandemic. This discrepancy continued into the second wave (adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10-2.41), although the difference compared with families who prefer to speak English decreased over time. These findings suggest that children from non-English-speaking families are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and efforts to reverse systemic inequities causing this increased risk are needed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / ethnology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Language*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • United States