Cultural Competency - a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. "Culture" refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious or social groups. "Competence" implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities (Cross, T., Bazron, B., Dennis K., & Isaacs, M., 1989. Towards A Culturally Competent System of Care Volume I. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Child Development Center, CASSP Technical Assistance Center).

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) - health care services that are respectful of and responsive to cultural and linguistic needs (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

CLAS Standards - the collective set of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) mandates, guidelines and recommendations issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health intended to inform, guide and facilitate required and recommended practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

Health Disparity - differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions or outcomes that exist among specific population groups in the United States. Health disparities can affect populations groups based on gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation, disability or special health care needs and occur among groups who have persistently experienced historical trauma, social disadvantage or discrimination and systematically experience worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups. (National Institutes of Health 2000)

Healthcare Disparity - relates to "racial or ethnic differences in the quality of healthcare that are not due to access-related factors or clinical needs, preferences, and appropriateness of interventions." (B. Smedley, A. Stith, and A. Nelson, eds., Unequal Treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care, released 2002 by the Institute of Medicine, National Academies Press, 2008. Available online.)

Health Equity - attainment of the highest level of health for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and healthcare disparities (The National Plan for Action).

Health Indicators - numerical measures that depict the health status on a core public health construct. Health indicators are influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, behaviors, social support, discrimination, and environmental exposures (The 2009 Connecticut Health Disparities Report and the 2008 New Mexico Disparities Report).

Health Inequality - the differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups (World Health Organization, Definition, Website Glossary. Available online).

Health Literacy - the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness. (Health Resources and Services Administration).

Healthcare Organization - any public or private institution involved in any aspect of delivering health care services (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

Limited-English Proficiency (LEP) - persons who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language because they are individuals who:

• were not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; or


• come from environments where a language other than English is dominant; or


• are American Indian and Alaskan Natives and who come from environments where a language other than English has had a significant impact on their level of English language proficiency; and


• by reason, thereof, are denied the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society (Adapted from A Study of Programs and Demographics for Students of Limited English Proficiency in Delaware Schools 1995-1996 School Year, Delaware Department of Education, 1996).

Patients/Consumers - individuals, including accompanying family members, guardians, or companions, seeking physical or mental health care services, or other health-related services (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).

Healthcare Staff - individuals employed directly by a healthcare organization, as well as those subcontracted or affiliated with the organization (National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, OMH, 2001).