Increasing Access to Care for Racial and Ethnic Minorities


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

4177.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Board 2

Abstract #104338

Shilpa Punja, MPH, NACCHO, 1100 17th St NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20036, 202-783-5550 ext 202, spunja@naccho.org

Unequal access to care is a key determinant of the existing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Studies have suggested a need to separate access to care factors from socioeconomic barriers, and the development of programs which address the nonfinancial barriers to care. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has examined these types of nonfinancial barriers that prevent individuals from receiving appropriate care. NACCHO has explored programs within local public health agencies (LPHAs) which involve increasing access to care for specific populations through the use of community and lay health workers, patient navigators, and other innovative approaches to increase awareness of and enrollment in services. NACCHO has also examined programs that specifically address the language and cultural barriers to care which exist for racial/ethnic minorities with limited English proficiency such as the establishment of interpreter services, and the promotion of culturally competent health care services. NACCHO will explore these barriers and innovative programs that have overcome these barriers and increased access. Common themes and successes among programs will be identified and highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize how nonfinancial barriers to care influence racial and ethnic disparities and impact quality of and access to care.
• List several innovative methods that address patient awareness and navigation as well as language and cultural barriers in accessing appropriate care.
• Identify factors which can lead to successful implementation of these models within communities.

Keywords: Access to Care, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Serving Cultural and Linguistic Minorities with Evidence-based Programs

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA