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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Community Health

Health Communications

Culture affects how people communicate, understand, and respond to health information. Cultural and linguistic competency of health professionals contribute to health literacy. These competencies include the ability of health organizations and practitioners to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of American Indian/Alaska Natives and to apply that knowledge and communicate in a manner to produce positive health outcomes. Healthcare professionals have their own culture and language. Many adopt the "culture of medicine" and the language of their specialty as a result of their training and work environment. This can affect how health professionals communicate with the public.

Health Communication tools include:

  • Health Literacy
  • Internet Access
  • Patient Education Materials (including handouts)
  • Plain Language guidance and
  • a Patient-Provider Communication toolkit

 

Learn More about Healthcare Communications.