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Cultural Competency & Disparities

America’s minority populations are increasing. In the State of Florida the foreign-born population numbered 3,391,511 in 2008, or 18.5% of the state total—the fifth-highest percentage of foreign born population in the nation. With the addition of new citizens and new cultures come additional challenges. As populations become more diverse, medical practices are seeing patients from cultural and linguistic backgrounds different from their own. Racial and ethnic disparities in health care have been extensively documented.

It is important that healthcare providers are sensitive to the needs and preferences of patients of different cultures and languages. The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards are meant to increase awareness of cultural and linguistic competence. This knowledge can assist medical providers to better serve diverse populations and help reduce disparities.

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards


Culturally Competent Care

Resources
  • http://clinicians.org/images/upload/cultural_competence.pdf
    Framework for Cross-Cultural Health Care
  • Understanding Race
    The RACE Project explains differences among people and reveals the reality – and unreality – of race through the eyes of history, science and lived experience.
  • Culture CluesTM
    The University of Washington Medical Center offers tip sheets for clinicians, designed to increase awareness about concepts and preferences of patients from diverse.
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