Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
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Intercultural Health Literacy & Communication

doctors walking on campus dcotor with patient

ICIC’s research on Intercultural Health Communication is successfully providing linguistic solutions to problems arising in the processing, comprehension, and interpretation of health-related communication. The center’s team of applied linguists, discourse analysts, physicians, pharmacologists, sociologists, intercultural specialists, and communication theorists are engaged in research as varied as health literacy, prescription medication labeling, medication adherence, physician-patient interaction, the language and cultural training needs of International Medical Graduates and the effect of health beliefs on the management of chronic diseases.

ICIC has a long history of translating our research into practice. The synergy between our projects and our training enhances both endeavors. Follow these links to learn more:

Health Literacy & Adherence Research

Language & Intercultural Training for Health Care Professionals

Interpersonal Communication Assessment (ICA)

There are many governnmental resources for health literature and guidelines. Of particular interest is the new Centers for Disease Control website on health literacy: http://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/

This web site provides information and tools to improve health literacy and public health. These resources are for all organizations that interact and communicate with people about health, including public health departments, healthcare providers and facilities, health plans, government agencies, non-profit/community and advocacy organizations, childcare and schools, the media, and health-related industries.  The health literacy blog http://blogs.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/ also provides a forum for commentary and discussion of vital issues in health literacy improvement.