Columns:: Worth repeating

since 12/15/98

Columns::August 26, 2002

Worth repeating

Marilyn Aguirre-Molina, professor of clinical public health at Columbia University, gave the keynote address at this year’s conference dealing with Latinos in Georgia. Her speech, entitled “Salud! Addressing Latino Health Challenges,” focused on the barriers faced by Latinos who are seeking health care. An excerpt:
“There are people who do want to be responsive to their Latino clients, but they’re living [working] in an institution that has no policies that facilitate hiring interpreters. There’s no facilitation by the administration to send people for cross-cultural issues training. And, there are institutions that are downright hostile. So, even if you do have a really good, well-meaning person there, what can they do if they’re in an environment like that?
“So the guys that I blame? The big guys. The policy guys. The administrators. Those who have a responsibility for providing adequate care and appropriate care. So, I’m not going to talk any more about culturally competent practitioners because that puts the blame on the individuals. It’s about culturally responsive institutions with policies that are responsive to their clients.”

--Denise Horton

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