Need more information on how to implement cultural competency programming into your clinic? Here are some great resources:
American Medical Student Association
AMSA's Resource Center offers a variety of publications, self-assessment tools, project guides, online resources, and training opportunities focusing on cultural competency. The majority of their publications are written, edited, or compiled by AMSA members in conjunction with national projects.
The Center for Cross-Cultural Health
This Minneapolis, MN, organization provides community profiles in Minnesota including: Hmong, Nuer, Russian Jewish, Bosnian, Vietnamese, and Ukrainian. They publish the Cross Winds newsletter, Six Steps Toward Cultural Competence, and Caring Across Cultures: the Provider's Guide to Cross-Cultural Health Care. Find resource links and more.
Cross Cultural Health Care Program
The program offers cultural diversity and cultural competency training, interpreter training, and translation services.
Diversity Rx
Promotes language and cultural competence to improve the quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and ethnically diverse communities.
National Advocates for Pregnant Women
The mission of NAPW is to secure the human and civil rights, health, and welfare of pregnant and parenting women while protecting children from punitive and misguided state policies. They advocate on behalf of all women, especially those who are most marginalized: women of color, low-income women, and women who use drugs.
The National Center for Cultural Competence
NCCC's mission is to increase the capacity of health and mental health programs to design, implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health
The Office on Minority Health produced a final report, National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Healthcare (PDF file, 565K, requires free Adobe Reader), detailing standards for producing culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services (CLAS). back to top
Cultural Assessment Tool
Produced by the University of Michigan Health System, this is a cultural assessment tool to help providers understand where patients derive their ideas about disease and illness. Assessments help to determine beliefs, values, and practices that might have an effect on patient care and health behaviors.
Cultural Competence Clinic Assessment Tool
This booklet offers a self-test for clinic staff to gauge their current level of cultural competence. For a copy, write to: by Success by 6/United Way of Minneapolis and Hennepin Medical Society Center for Cross-Cultural Health, W-227, 410 Church Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
Cultural Competence in Primary Health Care: Self-Assessment
Developed by the Georgetown University Child Development Center's National Center for Cultural Competence, this self-assessment tool helps to gauge the degree to which an organization is effectively addressing the needs and preferences of culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
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SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Rights Health Collaborative
The collective is made up of local, regional, and national grassroots organizations representing four major ethnic populations/indigenous nations in the United States: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinas, and Native Americans. SisterSong is committed to educating women of color on reproductive and sexual health and rights and working towards the access of health services. They develop information and resources that are culturally and linguistically appropriate through the integration of the disciplines of community organizing, self-help, and human rights education.
National Center for Human Rights Education
NCHRE works to build a human rights movement in the United States by training community leaders and student activists to apply human rights standards to issues of injustice. As an information clearinghouse and technical assistance provider, NCHRE seeks to increase human rights understanding, improve cooperation among progressive social change movements, and use human rights education as a catalyst for social transformation.
National MultiCultural Institute
NMCI's mission is to work with individuals, organizations, and communities in creating a society that is strengthened and empowered by its diversity.
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African-American
African American Women Evolving
AAWE's mission is to increase the activism and leadership of black women around reproductive health.
Black Women's Health Imperative
The Black Women's Health Imperative, the new name of the National Black Women's Health Project, is a leading institution fostering African-American health education, research, advocacy, and leadership development.
California Black Women's Health Project
The project advocates for policies that promote and improve the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of black women and girls in California. It seeks to empower women to take control and become active participants in improving their health status through education, self-help, and advocacy.
National Medical Association
The NMA promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent and carries out their mission by serving as the voice of physicians of African descent and a leading force for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities, and promotion of optimal health.
SisterLove, Inc.
Founded in 1989, SisterLove sponsors transitional housing and support services, the Women's AIDS Prevention Project, education on reproductive health, the CareWorks Volunteer Program, and other services for women of color in the Atlanta area.
Arab-American
National Arab-American Medical Association
NAAMA is a nonprofit, non-political, educational, and charitable organization for medical professionals of Arab descent.
Asian-American/Pacific Islander
Asian and Pacific Islanders for Reproductive Health
APIRH works with the Asian and Pacific Islander Community, particularly
in the western United States, to educate and assist with access to
reproductive health.
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
APIAHF is a national advocacy organization dedicated to promoting policy, program, and research efforts for the improvement of health status of all Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
Asian Women's Health Clinic
Located in Canada, Asian Women's Health Clinic was established to address cultural and linguistic barriers limiting access to preventive health services for Chinese women.
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an agent for healing and reconciliation in the Kalihi Valley community on the island of Oahu.
Latina/Hispanic
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
The Alliance is the nation's oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. Members deliver quality services to over 12 million persons annually.
National Center for Latinos with Disabilities
NCLD serves three primary constituencies: individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals who work with these individuals and their families. 1921 S. Blue Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60608, (312) 666-3393 voice, (312) 666-1788 TTY
National Hispanic Medical Association
NHMA was organized in 1994 to address the interests and concerns of 26,000 licensed physicians and 1,800 full-time Hispanic medical faculty dedicated to teaching medical and health services research.
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
NLIRH's mission is to ensure the fundamental human right to reproductive health care for Latinas, their families and their communities through education, advocacy, and coalition building.
National Latina Health Organization
A national advocacy and education organization, NLHO advocates for Latina issues at both the national and local levels, providing health information, referral services, and a resource center.
Indigenous Peoples Task Force
Formerly the Minnesota American Indian AIDS Task Force, its mission is to strengthen the health and education of native people.
Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center
Founded in 1988 on the Yankton Sioux Reservation, NAWHERC programs address reproductive health, fetal alcohol syndrome, domestic violence, child development and youth wellness. Additionally, NAWHERC runs a battered women's shelter, food pantry, diabetic nutrition program, organizes community health fairs, and publishes the Wicozanni Wowapi Newsletter.
The Wise Women Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is a women's reproductive health resource center, which provides a book and video library along with internet-access computers for clients to use in their personal research. It is staffed by experienced midwives who provide assistance providing health care information when needed, as well as classes about childbirth, pregnancy, breast-feeding, relationship development, and alternative methods of health care.
AmASSI Center
AmASSI's mission is to serve the diverse African immigrant community with culturally affirming services focusing on advocacy, health, well-being, self respect, responsibility, leadership development, HIV/AIDS prevention, diversity, education, critical thinking, and other health and human services needs.
American International Health Alliance
AIHA maintains a searchable Directory of Translated Materials - health and medical documents. This is a directory of more than 400 health-related materials that have been translated into languages of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe.
Ayuda
Ayuda is a domestic violence, legal, and advocacy organization working with Hispanic immigrants.
Ethiopian Community Development Council
Through offices in the United States, ECDC conducts educational and social service programs that help newcomers resettle in their new communities and acculturate; recover from past trauma; gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency; and quickly become able participants and productive, contributing members of American society.
Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund
MALDEF's mission is to foster sound public policies, laws and programs to safeguard the civil rights of the 40 million Latinos living in the United States and to empower the Latino community to fully participate in our society.
The Provider's Guide to Quality and Culture
This site provides information in a variety of areas including: understanding immigrant, refugee, and minority populations; common health problems in selected minority, ethnic, and cultural populations; common beliefs and cultural practices; non-verbal communications; relating to a patient's family; culturally competent organizations; and expanded information for five cultural groups. Take the Quality and Culture Quiz to examine your own cultural competence.
The World-wide Web Virtual Library Migration and Ethnic Relations
This complete list of resources contains an alphabetical list of all resources included in the WWW Virtual Library on Migration and Ethnic Relations.
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AT&T Language Line
The AT&T Language Line offers 24-hour-a-day access to interpretations of more than 140 languages, over the phone, within minutes. To reach an interpreter from the United States or Canada, call 800-628-8486. The Language Line also provides software, localization, translation, and multinational document management services.
Certification of Medical Interpreters
Cross Cultural Health Program details the factors needed and accepted standards of receiving medical interpreter certification.
Society of Medical Interpreters
SOMI is dedicated to promoting professionalism and excellence in interpretive services to enhance the provision of health and social services to ethnic communities.
Word2Word Language Resources
This site is dedicated to breaking down of language barriers and assisting the users who have the desire to learn language, a need to communicate between languages, and for those who work with languages as a profession.
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Cultural Aspects of Caring for Refugees
This article addresses the cultural barriers faced by refugees seeking medical treatment, as well as recommendations to create a better and productive medical experience. (American Family Physician, March 1998).
Language Barriers Hinder Access to Women's Reproductive Health Care
Eliminating language barriers is critical to the health and well-being of millions of people. If a woman is unable to communicate with her health care provider, she is less likely to receive appropriate health care.
Medical Care for Immigrants and Refugees
This article by Thomas Gavagan, MD, MPH, and Lisa Brodyaga, JD, describes medical conditions associated with immigrants, as well as specific screening recommendations, including history, physical examination and laboratory tests, and some of the challenges encountered by family physicians caring for refugees. (American Family Physician, 1998).
Minority Health Care Providers: The Need to Increase the Number, Diversity, and Distribution
A dearth of minority and women's health care providers exists in the U.S. The situation is particularly acute in predominantly minority neighborhoods and regions. As a result, women of color are less likely to obtain the reproductive health care they need.
Pocket Guide to Minority Health Resources
The Pocket Guide to Minority Health Resources is an easy-to-use guide published by the Office of Minority Health. The guide lists phone numbers and addresses of OMH regional coordinators, public health service minority liaisons, federal information centers and clearinghouses, and national organizations, categorized by target population.
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Betancourt JR, Green AR, Carrillo JE. Cultural Competence in Health Care: Emerging Frameworks and Practical Approaches, Final Report. New York, NY: The Commonwealth Fund, October 2002. www.cmwf.org.
Byrd WM, Clayton LA. An American Health Dilemma. In: Volume 1- A Medical History of African Americans and the Problem of Race; and Volume 2 - Race, Medicine, and Health Care in the United States 1900-2000, New York, NY: Routledge, 2000.
Fadiman A. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1997.
Hedrick H, ed. Cultural Competence Compendium. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association, 1999.
Helman CG: Culture, Health and Illness, Fourth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Heinemann, 2000.
Huff RM, Kline MV, eds. Promoting Health in Multicultural Populations: A Handbook for Practitioners. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 1999.
Like RC, Steiner RP, and Rubel AC. Recommended core curriculum guidelines on culturally sensitive and competent health care. Family Medicine, 1996: 28:291-98
McCullough-Zander K, ed. Caring Across Cultures: The Provider's Guide to Cross-Cultural Health, Second Edition. Minneapolis, MN: The Center for Cross-Cultural Health, 2000.
Mutha S, Allen C, Welch M. Toward Culturally Competent Care: A Toolbox for Teaching Communication Strategies. San Francisco, CA: Center for the Health Professions, University of California, San Francisco, 2002.
Roberts, Dorothy, JD. Killing the Black Body. New York, NY: Random House Value Publications, 1999.
Salimbene S. What Language Does Your Patient Hurt In?™ A Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Patient Care from Other Cultures. Amherst, MA: Diversity Resources, 2000.
Smedley BD, Stith AY, Nelson AR, eds. Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. New York, NY: Institute of Medicine, 2002.
Spector RE. Cultural Diversity in Health & Illness, Fifth Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
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