Why do Hispanic Serving Institution Websites Need to Be Bilingual in Spanish?

Abstract

This study aims to investigate whether universities in the Houston area identified as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) provide health
promotion and disease prevention information in Spanish. The research involved analyzing the websites of the HSIs studied and conducting interviews with one student from an HSI and one health professional who works for an HSI. Additionally, interviews revealed challenges that Hispanic students face regarding their health and possible language barriers. The study findings suggest that there is a need to provide bilingual information to students enrolled in HSIs, whose parents would also benefit from it. Further, the results of the study indicate a need for additional research within the HSIs in the Houston area, more interviews with Hispanic students and their parents, and greater involvement of Hispanic students at their universities. Finally, the study shows that HSIs in Houston need to do a better job of providing information in Spanish on their Student Health Center websites about health promotion and
disease prevention.