Local public health capacities to address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

摘要

Objective: To assess local health department (LHD) capacity to serve diverse populations. Design: Data on 2300 LHDs (National Association of County and City Health Officials 2005 National Profile of LHDs) was linked with 2000 census data to make population profiles that characterized the degree of diversity present in jurisdictions. The LHDs with the most diverse populations were surveyed, and their actions to assess and adjust to the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations were examined. Setting: The researchers administered a questionnaire to LHDs by mail. Participants: For the population profiles, 2300 LHDs were included. Nearly 300 LHDs serving jurisdictions across the United States completed the survey. Main Outcome Measures: In the population profiles, diversity was measured through poverty rates, race/ethnicity, linguistic isolation, languages spoken, and immigration. The survey assessed the utilization of approaches for meeting needs of diverse subgroups, including administrative approaches, interpreter services and materials, special programs and partnerships, and workforce training. Results: For each diversity measure, the top decile of LHDs served jurisdictions with at least 20.3% of population in poverty, 3.4% recent immigrants, 43.5% nonwhite population, 4.5% linguistically isolated households, and 32 languages spoken.