Question

define health disparity and give specific examples.

define stereotype / prejudice ?

importance of language access in health care.

Answer 1

Health disparity is defined as the variation of health status and higher burden of rate of disease occurrence or disabilities between different population groups. It can be depended on socio-economic status and geographical location. For example health resource accessibility for low income group; Cancer between people living in two geographical areas; morbidity of diseases in rural, urban and tribal populations;

Stereotype / prejudice is a wide range of generalized belief or mistaken identity on a category of people.

Importance of language access in healthcare

A two-way communication is vital for patients and healthcare team to express and identify the signs and symptoms of any illness. Language is key for communicating and the barrier leads to medical errors or complications. The effective communication increases safety and treatment outcomes.

The Section 1557 of the affordable care act states hospitals to provide quality interpreters as one in five American residents speak other language apart from english. American Sign language is another mostly used language in the United States. With breaking the communication barrier by language accessibility, hospitals and healthcare organizations can reach the diverse population with health promotion activities and needed services.