In the Right Words: Addressing Language and Culture in Providing Health Care

This Issue Brief, based on an April 2003 Issue Dialogue, calls on grantmakers to take a leadership role in shaping the language access agenda to ensure that all individuals have equal access to quality health care.  Sections include: recent immigration trends and demographic changes; the effect of language barriers on health outcomes and health care processes; laws and policies regarding the provision of language services to patients; strategies for improving language access; and roles for foundations in supporting improved language access, including examples of current activities.

Strengthening the Public Health System for a Healthier Future

Based on a November 2002 Issue Dialogue, this Issue Brief examines the nation's public health infrastructure and explores opportunities for grantmakers to strengthen and sustain this fragile and troubled system.  The report provides and overview of the nation's public health system and its infrastructure weaknesses.  It also discusses the challenges faced by state and local public health agencies as they struggle to maintain and improve the health of the public while simultaneously preparing for the possibility of bioterrorism.  Finally, the report looks at foundation strategies to help buttress the public health system's infrastructure.

Turning the Tide: Preserving Community Mental Health Services

Across the country, the demand for community mental health services is growing at the same time that community mental health programs are in crisis as a result of inadequate financing and a shortage of appropriately trained providers. Nationwide, the imbalance between the supply of and demand for community mental health services is causing unnecessary personal suffering and imposing avoidable societal costs. This Issue Brief explores how health grantmakers can support community programs that provide critical mental health intervention and treatment services to children and adults.

Issue Briefs 2000 and prior

Issue Briefs 2001

Issue Briefs 2002

Issue Briefs 2004

Issue Briefs 2005

Issue Briefs 2006

Issue Briefs 2007