GULNARA ABBASOVA Executive Officer, Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership
Culturally responsive care: improving health access and outcomes for all Australians Culture, diversity and health in Australia
approach centred around the provision of culturally
Australia is a highly multicultural nation, with first
responsive health care. Culturally responsive health
or second generation migrants composing 49%
care—that is, care that respects and is sensitive to
of the population. Meeting the needs of Australia’s
cultural difference—contributes to the equity of
diverse migrant and refugee population is a
health access and outcomes for all Australians.
distinct challenge for the nation’s health system. Culture and language considerations have
Health service organisations should consider adapting their practices to establish a culturally
significant implications for communication in
responsive healthcare environment that will
healthcare, while other migration-related factors
enhance access for people from migrant and
impact on individuals’ health status and help-
refugee backgrounds. This includes better collecting
seeking behaviour. Studies confirm that people
and disaggregating data on patients and consumers
from migrant and refugee backgrounds generally
from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and
delay healthcare, have lower rates of accessing
incorporating this information into healthcare
preventative care, are less satisfied with health
service planning and delivery.
services, and experience poorer health outcomes compared to English-speaking patients.
Diversity and the health system Meeting the needs of Australia’s diverse migrant and refugee population requires a system-wide 24
The Health Advocate • OCTOBER 2019
Recommended ‘good practice’ responses include understanding and addressing communication needs in situations of language discordance in order to mitigate obstacles related to language barriers— for example, by using universally agreed signage and providing access to interpreters. Similarly,
