• Information for Health Care Providers When Dealing with a Muslim Patient
• Guidelines for Health Care Providers Interacting with Muslim Patients and their Families
• Islamic Beliefs and Practices Affecting Health Care
• Culturally Sensitive Care of the Muslim Patient
  

* For additional Multicultural Health Generalizations, please visit: http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/ccp/bmhg.htm

Health Sciences Libraries

In 2002, a team from the University Health Sciences Libraries partnered with a coalition of local service organizations to establish an English-Spanish digital consumer health library. A National Libraries of Medicine (NLM) Internet Access to Digital Libraries grant was received to build upon the existing Detroit Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Initiative. 

Funds from the NLM enabled development of a "Health Information Links" section for the Detroit REACH Web site.  The Physician/Patient Bilingual Digital Library is targeted at medically undeserved Latino and African American populations with diabetes, hypertension, and related conditions in low-income areas of Detroit.  To facilitate access, participating families were supplied with computer terminals donated by the University of Michigan.  NLM grant funds provided internet service for each family for one year.  Health Science librarians provided REACH employees with training on finding high quality health information on the internet.

By September of 2003, a total of 123 REACH Detroit participants received computers with internet access.  Participants also received individualized technical instruction on using the computers and accessing the internet, an introduction to the REACH Detroit Web site, how to access the health links section and community assets database, and technical trouble-shooting assistance. 

In May 2004, participants completed a 12-month follow-up survey and focus group covering all aspects of the REACH project  Overall, feedback on the Physician/Patient Bilingual Digital Library was positive.  Over 91% of the Web site visitors said the information was "somewhat" to "very" useful.  Participants self-reported that they visit the Web site once a week or more.  All had used the health information links section of the Web site.  Over 79% of respondents reported the internet and project Web sites are useful in managing their diabetes and living a healthier lifestyle.

Akron, Ohio, Health Experts Urge Providers to Pursue Cultural Competency
September 27, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4254

U.S. Health Care System Reform Should Focus on Care Disparities, Disease Prevention, Acting U.S. Surgeon General Says
September 27, 2006
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=40080

Study Finds Racial Disparity in Endometrial Cancer Persists Despite Equal Care
September 26, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4249

BCBS of Texas, Quality Improvement Group Team Up to Offer Cultural Competency Training for Physicians
September 25, 2006
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4242

Miami Hospital to Implement Video Interpretation Technology
September 25, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4241

Chicago Hospitals Work to Improve Interpreter Services
September 22, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4234

Health Care Coverage and Access for Hispanics: How Does It Differ Across America
September 21, 2006
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kff.org/uninsured/kcmu092106pkg.cfm

Massachusetts Foundation Launches Minority Health Initiative to Raise Awareness, Improve Care
September 21, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4228

New Jersey Health Department Posts Multilingual Medical Resources Online
September 19, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4206

New York State Health Department Requires Skilled Translation Services at Hospitals
September 14, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4183

Racial Gap in Childhood Vaccination Rate Closes, CDC Says
September 15, 2006
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39829

Report Recommends Tax Breaks and Efforts to Boost Enrollment in Public Programs as Ways To Boost Health Coverage Among Latinos
September 15, 2006
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39828

Researchers Say Medical Residents Not Equipped to Effectively Use Medical Interpreters
September 12, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4164

Study, Editorial Discuss Minority Enrollment in Medical School
September 6, 2006
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39648

California Endowment Awards $2.2 Million to Improve Care for Hmong Patients
September 6, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4132

Article Outlines Strategies for Patient Race, Ethnicity Data Collection
August 31, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=4111