Health of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations

Question 1

What are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations?

Answer 1

• Current preferred term for people from the non-dominant background
• Used in healthcare, education, government policy
• More neutral; doesn’t make a statement about one’s nationality/visa status

Question 2

What is the healthy migrant effect?

Answer 2

• Percentage of people from CALD backgrounds have better health than Australians in the first few years of living in Australia
• It is thought this is due to the many health screenings that take place prior to being eligible for visas
• Disappears with time
• Likely to be affected by language skills, health literacy, employment, social support

Question 3

What people are included from Culturally and Lingustically Diverse Background?

Answer 3

1) Individuals who moved here decades ago when there weren’t health checks (and they were young but are now retired);
2) Elderly parents
3) Refugees (who may have experienced significant hardship and trauma)

Question 4

What is social capital?

Answer 4

Resource developed through networks and relationships between people and in communities.

Question 5

What are the issues that many CALD groups have in common?

Answer 5

• Communication
• Use of interpreters
• Continuity of care
• Confidence
• Finance
• Social capital and social isolation
• Different cultural understandings of health and illness
• Different attitudes towards aged care

Question 6

Describe effect of communication on healthcare

Answer 6

• Not having a common language can be a barrier for both clients and health care providers
• Misunderstandings can hinder diagnosis of health care issue
• Lack of communication can stop a person making an appointment
• Anxiety/shame about not being able to express feelings and concerns
• Difficulty with open communication re. interpreters

Question 7

Describe effect of continuity of care with CALD healthcare

Answer 7

• Regarded as important for maintaining appropriate healthcare
• Records may be in different language, not accessible

Question 8

Describe importance of confidence, trust and respect with CALD healthcare?

Answer 8

• Some people may have had negative experiences (racism; stigma; stereotypes; but also frustration at not being able to communicate)
• Takes time to develop relationship and trust needed to talk about some health care issues

Question 9

What is the relevance of social determinants with CALD population health?

Answer 9

• Just as relevant for CALD populations as they are for any other.
• See that many people from CALD backgrounds are further disadvantaged with:
• Where they live
• Employment
• Early years of life
• Social support
• Health systems and services
• Violence, discrimination, racism, social disorder

Question 10

Describe the burden of healthcare for aged care people

Answer 10

• As we age, we tend to reflect on our younger years
• Want to have familiar things around us; food, people, music
• Some people may lose their acquired language (eg secondary to a stroke or dementia)

Question 11

Describe the experiences of refugees and its impact on their health?

Answer 11

• Many have experienced significant trauma
• Not had access to healthcare for a long time
• Regular “checkups” impossible
• May not have had access to education
• Refugees were 3.1 times more likely to have a mental disorder and twice as likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Language barrier
• Low health literacy

Question 12

Describe the experiences of asylum seekers and its impact on their health?

Answer 12

• Living in a state of prolonged insecurity
• Very poor mental health compared to those with secure visas
• Reduced access to health care services
• Few opportunities to engage in meaningful activities
• Barred from employment
• Financial barriers