Glossary

CLAS standards

The collective set of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) mandates, guidelines, and recommendations issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health intended to inform, guide, and facilitate required and recommended practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

Culture

The thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups.
Culture defines how: - health care information is received;

• how rights and protections are exercised;
• what is considered to be a health problem;
• how symptoms and concerns about the problem are expressed;
• who should provide treatment for the problem; and
• what type of treatment should be given.

  In sum, because health care is a cultural construct, arising from beliefs about the nature of disease and the human body, cultural issues are actually central in the delivery of health services treatment and preventive interventions. By understanding, valuing, and incorporating the cultural differences of America's diverse population and examining one's own health-related values and beliefs, health care organizations, practitioners, and others can support a health care system that responds appropriately to, and directly serves the unique needs of populations whose cultures may be different from the prevailing culture (Katz, Michael. Personal communication, November 1998).

  Cultural and linguistic competence in health

  A set of congruent behaviors, at agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.

  Culture refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. Competence implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities [Based on Cross, T., Bazron, B., Dennis K., & Isaacs, M., (1989). Towards A Culturally Competent System of Care Volume I. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Child Development Center, CASSP Technical Assistance Center).

  Culturally and linguistically appropriate services

  Health care services that are respectful of and responsive to cultural and linguistic needs (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

  Health care organizations

  Any public or private institution involved in any aspect of delivering health care services (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

  Limited-English proficiency

  Persons who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language because they are individuals who:

  • were not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; or
  • come from environments where a language other than English is dominant; or
  • are American Indian and Alaskan Natives and who come from environments where a language other than English has had a significant impact on their level of English language proficiency; and
  • by reason, thereof, are denied the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society (Adapted from A Study of Programs and Demographics for Students of Limited English Proficiency in Delaware Schools 1995-1996 School Year, Delaware Department of Education, 1996).