Reducing Health Disparities: Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Contra Costa

"Reducing Health Disparities: Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Contra Costa Health Services" is a plan developed by Contra Costa Health Services that strives to reduce health disparities by enhancing the diversity and the cultural and linguistic competence of its employees, who are caring for an increasingly diverse patient population. An example of a change in the organization as a result of this plan is a curriculum that was developed for all managers and supervisors on reducing health disparities. The curriculum includes 4 modules addressing the connection between service excellence and reducing health disparities; cross cultural communication; linguistic access; and managing a diverse workforce.

The goal of this program is to eliminate health disparities among the diverse patient population in Contra Costa County by improving access to services for people who are not comfortable speaking English, and by increasing the cultural and linguistic competence of staff in order to have a workforce capable of working effectively with diverse patients, clients, customers and communities.

One significant outcome of Contra Costa's work has been the interest that other local health departments have expressed in this process. The Health Services Director has developed and conducted presentations in response to queries from other California counties as well as national organizations.