Learn: National CLAS Standards fundamentals (webinar)

Webinar: National CLAS StandardsThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health recently hosted the first webinar in a series on the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care, also known as the National CLAS Standards

What are the CLAS Standards?

The National CLAS Standards provide a blueprint for healthcare providers and organizations to better serve diverse communities through culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS), which are defined as, being respectful of, and responsive to, individual cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health-literacy levels, and communication needs.

Failure to provide CLAS can have a major impact on health outcomes for vulnerable populations, as well as on the cost and quality of care. For example, individuals with limited English proficiency may be at greater risk for medical errors, longer hospital stays, and avoidable readmission when healthcare facilities do not use trained interpreters.

For more information on how you can implement the National CLAS Standards at your organization, watch the recorded webinarExit Disclaimer and visit www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov.Editor’s Note: Webinars are an important digital tool for sharing your organization’s resources and strengthening your team’s learning. Visit the HIV.gov Webinars page for details about upcoming webinars on HIV, the Affordable Care Act, and viral hepatitis. If you want to learn how to create and launch your own webinar, make an appointment with HIV.gov’s Virtual Office Hours.