Online Program

321655
Increasing Meaningful Access to HIV Care through a Comprehensive Language Access Services Policy


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Rene Vega, MSW., MPH, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
issues: Ensuring meaningful access to health and social services for limited English proficiency (LEP) clients is crucial for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a national organization providing integrated HIV prevention and treatment services, implemented a comprehensive Language Access Services policy in response to the release of the Department of Health and Human (HHS) 2013 Language Access Plan.

description: The HHS Plan outlines 10 Essential Elements and Actions for a successful language access plan. AHF developed a Language Access Services policy incorporating all 10 Elements to cover operations in each area of HIV service delivery: healthcare centers, pharmacies, men’s wellness centers and testing units, and managed care health plans in 14 states across the US. Throughout 2014, AHF took action implementing each of the 10 Elements to address the gaps in service identified in a population analysis and language access needs assessment.

lessons Learned: The process of conducting a population analysis and needs assessment gave weight to stakeholder adoption of the Language Access Services policy. The identification of how existing practice compared to the HHS Plan allowed AHF to target resources where they would be most effective. Work continues to improve LEP access to the organization’s digital environment.

recommendations: Increase stakeholder engagement for improving LEP access to HIV care by using data tailored to reflect each area of service delivery to report out and monitor improvement. Remove barriers to meaningful access with an interdisciplinary organizational approach to policy implementation.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Describe the steps involved in implementing a comprehensive language access policy in an integrated HIV healthcare system. Identify federal mandates and guidelines to ensure meaningful access for patients with limited English proficiency.

Keyword(s): Patient-Centered Care, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal author of this poster presentation. I have worked with the target population in various capacities over the last 10 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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