Latest Research Resources

Joint Commission, HHS Team Up in Language-Access Education Effort
Because many patients require alternative communication methods, The Joint Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights have released a video, "Improving Patient-Provider Communication," that identifies tools to help healthcare organizations determine the best methods for meeting diverse communication needs among patients. The video explains why particular attention should be paid to federal civil rights standards and accreditation standards for effective communication and language access, and it addresses the obligations of healthcare organizations for the translation of written documents. HHS and The JC do not endorse one specific approach to ensuring language access, but recommend using resources and modes of interpretation that are accessible, in working order, and put into use when necessary to servce the needs of patients and their families. See The Joint Commission's Hospitals, Language, and Culture site by clicking here or here.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has developed a dynamic and interactive Spanish-language Web site
Due to the dramatic disparity in health care and the need for better access to support and treatment, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has developed a dynamic and interactive Spanish-language Web site, dbsalianza.org, empowering caregivers and those coping with depression and bipolar disorder with critical recovery tools and information.

Reducing Racial and Social-Class Inequalities in Health: The Need for a New Approach
It is well known that people in racial and ethnic minority groups and in lower social-class positions have higher morbidity and mortality rates from virtually every disease. To effectively deal with the problem, we will need to adopt a more appropriate conceptual model that focuses on the fundamental determinants of health, we will need to understand how important this is for all Americans as a society, and we will need to better deal with the issues people care about: their children, homes, jobs, safety, education, families, retirement, and future prospects.

Cultural and Linguistic Competence Implementation Guide
Highlighting a new "team approach" to address cultural and linguistic issues, the TA Partnership and its allies have released the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Implementation Guide.

Cultural Competent Child Welfare Trainings Help Latino Families
Latino families served by the child welfare system in the state of Texas are benefiting from a new cultural competence training designed, in part, by the state's Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The program, currently provided to over 180 DFPS employees, has already had a positive impacton reaction, learning and behavioral changes among families. The trainings are family-focused and encourage culturally-appropriate community-based services.

Race, Ethnicity Might Influence Psychiatric Diagnosis in Children's ERs - Released by The Health Behavior News Service