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[PA-2] Bridges to Health: Preparing Health Professionals to Better Serve the Latino Population Lisa Stevak, MA, University of Illinois College of Nursing and Illinois Health Education Consortium, Chicago, IL
Lisa Stevak, Bridges of Health, 845 S. Damen Ave. #1148 (MC 802), Chicago, IL 60612
The Bridges to Health Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion Program (BTH) addresses the critical need of preparing health professionals to provide accessible, quality care to the US Latino population. Originally developed for the Chicago Health Corps (AmeriCorps) in 1997 in collaboration with Illinois Health Education Consortium, Centro San Bonifacio, and University of Illinois College of Nursing, BTH utilizes the well-developed integrated culture/language experience model and integrates language instruction, community health exposure, and home-stays. Participants study in Latino neighborhoods; visit community-based organizations to learn about the challenges and resources in that area; and experience the culture and lifestyles of immigrant Chicago Latino families during their home stay. Combined together, these opportunities allow participants to experience the relationship between language, culture, values, and health-seeking practices of Latino families.
The Bridges to Health three-week program helps healthcare professionals, students, and volunteers, including Latinos who may not possess specialized medical vocabulary, to communicate in Spanish and understand Latino cultural beliefs and expectations. Over time, the results are trained health workers who possess language skills and cultural proficiency and an institutionalized solution to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requiring any entity receiving federal assistance to provide linguistic accessibility. This poster session will feature a discussion of participants' experiences and a description of lessons learned in reducing language and cultural barriers to accessible, quality health care.
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Date: July 10-12, 2002
Location: Hilton Hotel & Towers, Washington, DC
Sponsor: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health / Office of Public Health and Science
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