National standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in health and health care from the HHS office of minority health: A blueprint for advancing health equity

Health organizations nationwide are increasingly implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services to address the persistent health disparities experienced by diverse communities. In 2013, the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will publish the enhanced National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS Standards) to offer health organizations guidance on providing quality services to all populations. Adoption of the National CLAS Standards will strengthen an organization's ability to provide care and services that are respectful of and responsive to the cultural and linguistic needs of all individuals, which will help advance health equity. This presentation will discuss the National CLAS Standards as a tool for health administrators seeking to address health disparities, as well as to meet requirements established by accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The National CLAS Standards provide a blueprint for implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, specifically in the areas of governance, leadership, and workforce; communication and language assistance; and engagement, continuous improvement, and accountability. Participants will learn about implementation strategies and promising practices from a health administrator perspective, that will help guide their organizations' implementation of the Standards. The National CLAS Standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities, and this presentation will discuss their use for health administrators in achieving these ends.