BeckerGuides: Global Health Resources: Language/Cultural Resources

Health Literacy and Communication

Health information is inherently complex and can, therefore, be overwhelming to many patients and research participants. Becker Medical Library offers a variety of services and resources to assist clinicians, investigators and students with making written materials easier to understand and to address the impact of literacy, culture and language in the health care setting.

For more information, please contact Mychal Voorhees at (314) 362-4734 or mychal.voorhees@wustl.edu.

Cultural Resources

Think Cultural Health (Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competency in Health Care)
The Think Cultural Health site has information about the National CLAS (Culturally and linguistically appropriate services) Standards and continuing education resources.
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
U.S. Office of Minority Health: Resource Center
Ethnomed
EthnoMed contains information about cultural beliefs, medical issues and related topics pertinent to the health care of immigrants and refugees.
Community Profiles for Health Care Providers
This resources, from Queensland, Australia, provides information about various cultures and factors that should be taken into consideration when providing treatment.
Diversity RX
The purpose of DiversityRx is to improve the accessibility and quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and indigenous communities.
Culture, Language, and Health Literacy (HRSA)
Common Purpose: Cultural Intelligence Knowledge Hub

Patient resources available in multiple languages

MedLine Plus
Trusted patient/consumer health resources from the National Library of Medicine translated for multiple languages
Health Information Translations
Health Information Translations provides education resources in multiple languages for health care professionals and others to use in their communities. Resources are easy to read and culturally appropriate.
Vaccine Information Sheets
Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) explain the benefits and risks of vaccines and are required to be given to patients whenever vaccines are given. This site provides links to VIS in multiple languages
Echo: Emergency and Community Health Outreach
On this site you can find pamphlets and videos in multiple languages that discuss emergency preparedness and safety.
Translated Patient Information (Minnesota Department of Health)
Interpreter and Language Services: Barnes Jewish Hospital
Language and Interpreting Services: St. Louis Children's Hospital

Additional Patient Resources Available in Multiple Languages

Translation Tools

MediBabble Translator
Free translator app designed for the iPhone and iPad. Comes pre-loaded with Spanish vocabulary, but you can also download French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, German, and Haitian Creole within the app for free.
iTranslate Voice
App cost: $1.99. Translates to/from English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish
Google Translate
Free app. Translates between 80 languages, no internet connection required after downloading language files.
Also available for Apple Devices
Language Access Metro Project (LAMP)
LAMP provides interpretation and written professional translation services in the St. Louis region. They specialize in translating for the healthcare industry.

Language Learning Tools and Resources

Duolingo
Free site and app that you can use to learn basic language skills in Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese
BBC Languages
BBC Languages provides interactive primers, videos, and other resources to help you learn 33+ languages
Lang-8
On this site you write journal entries in whichever language you're trying to learn and a native speaker will provide feedback and corrections. A basic account is free.