Press Release

Manasquan, N.J., USA, April 26, 2005 - A physician-patient language barrier can undermine the quality and accessibility of healthcare for that patient. But cultural misunderstandings can have more subtle consequences. For example, the forefinger-to- thumb gesture that signals “Okay” to Americans is considered obscene by European- and South American-born patients. Similarly, a soothing pat on the head renders extremely uncomfortable some Buddhist patients who believe the head is the repository of the soul.

Translating cultural differences into improved quality and accessibility of healthcare is the purpose of “Cultural Diversity in Healthcare: Addressing Differences to Overcome Barriers,” a May 18, 2005 audio conference sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN). Two healthcare organizations will describe how their diversity programs are addressing the needs of culturally diverse populations. The audio conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 18, 2005. For more details on attending the audio conference, please visit the HIN bookstore.

“With the growing ethnic and cultural diversity of the American population, it makes good business sense for healthcare organizations to be culturally competent. This can reduce ethnic/racial disparities in healthcare and attract more minority consumers, who accounted for 70 percent of the U.S. population growth between 1988-1998,” said Melanie Matthews, the executive vice president of HIN. “In addition, providing culturally diverse services can improve outcomes where cultural differences can impact care.” Medicare, Medicaid and other public purchasers are putting increased value on cultural competence and quality, she added.

Audio conference panelists include Elsa Batica, Cross-Cultural Health Development and Training Manager at Children's Hospital and Clinic in Minneapolis and Loretta Estes, Coordinator of Cultural and Linguistics Services at Passport Health Plan in Kentucky. These speakers will describe strategies for increasing cultural competence, including:

• Training culturally responsive healthcare providers;
• Addressing language barriers in healthcare access/delivery;
• Building management support for cultural diverse programs;
• Working with the community to address cultural issues; and
• Reviewing case studies of the ways their organization is serving culturally diverse populations.

This audio conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 18, 2005. It will conclude with a live question-and-answer period when participants can tap the presenters’ expertise and ensure that all aspects of the subject are addressed. A recorded version of this audio conference will be available on CD-ROM in early June.

This audio conference is designed to benefit CEOs, medical directors, executives responsible for culturally competent healthcare, disease management directors, managers and coordinators, health plan executives, care management nurses, business development and strategic planning directors. For more information on the conference, please email info@hin.com, call toll-free (888) 446-3530 or visit the HIN bookstore.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network -- HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ, USA, 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 292-3073, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit www.hin.com.

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