The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54971

Vivian Huang, MHS¹, Jeffrey Caballero, MPH², and Carmella Castellano, JD¹. (1) California Primary Care Association, California Primary Care Association, 1215 K Street, Suite 700, Sacramento, CA 95814, (2) Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, 439 23rd St., Oakland, CA 94612

There are almost 45 million people in the nation who speak a language other than English, and almost 20 million who speak English "less than very well." Over 30 million Americans were born outside of the United States. Linguistically appropriate health services are critically important for providing access to health care for limited English proficient (LEP) populations. Providing language services greatly improves quality and access for LEP patients. The presenters will provide background on the legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act on serving LEP patients. In addition, the presenters will provide information on how various health centers have designed promising practices to serve their LEP patients. Resource materials that can be adapted and tailored for health care providers to develop culturally & linguistically appropriate systems will be provided.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• 1. Articulate the federal requirements and standards for providing meaningful access to limited English proficient populations.
• 2. Describe the variety of approaches health centers have utilized to better provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
• 3. Acquire resource information about model programs that can be adapted and applied for other health care organizations

Keywords: Immigrants, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This presentation will highlight what various California community clinics and health centers have done to address the needs of their limited English proficient patients. The names of the clinics who have instituted these model programs will be mentioned
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.