Description
For all eligible persons aged 5 and older, OTHLANGFAM indicates if someone in the family speaks a language other than English. This is one of three language variables introduced in 2013 for Panel 18, and they replace previous preferred-language variables found in the Access to Care section (LANGSPEAK, LANGENGHH, and LANGENGNOCMF).
The question for OTHLANGFAM was asked at the family level during the Round 1 interview. If someone in the household spoke a language other than English at home, a follow-up question was asked about which language was spoken (OTHLANGSPAN). Finally, questions were asked about the English proficiency of each person in the household, and those responses were recorded at the person level (OTHLANGWELL). Persons who entered the MEPS family in later rounds were also asked these questions, but their responses to OTHLANGFAM and OTHLANGSPAN were recoded as "Inapplicable" and only their response to OTHLANGWELL is recorded.
In 2018, these language variables were replaced with three new ones; please see the description for SPKOTHLANG for details on those variables.
Codes and Frequencies
Universe
- 2013: Persons age 5 and older in Panel 18 during Round 1.
- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018: Persons age 5 and older.
- 2018: Persons age 5 and older in Panel 22 during Round 1 or 2.
Availability
- 2013-2018
Weights
- 2013-2018 : PERWEIGHT