Cultural support services are a critical component of health care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people. These services help to address the structural barriers that prevent CALD people from receiving the healthcare they need.

This article provides an overview of key strategies for delivering culturally sensitive healthcare to these populations. It also highlights how these strategies can contribute to health equity and social justice outcomes for all communities.

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers and carers

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often provide care and support to family members and friends with a disability, mental health issue or chronic condition. CALD consumers and carers may also face a range of barriers when accessing appropriate services.

People who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse can experience caring differently than others in their community due to factors such as their culture, beliefs, background and history, language, educational opportunities and literacy levels. This can lead to a lack of understanding about their own caring role and barriers when seeking support from services.

This research explores program and research implications for addressing health service utilisation among people from CALD backgrounds. It identified several challenges at the individual, family, community and organisational levels relating to interacting social and disease conditions; multimorbidity; poor health literacy; diminishing healthy migrants' effect; inadequate interpretation services; and structural disadvantages.

Cultural brokers

Cultural brokers work with families to link them with local support services. This includes linking them with social workers, court staff, or other providers for specific services.

They can also assist with team meetings or encourage families to engage in case management or attend court. This is a role that requires cultural humility and sensitivity to the family’s culture.

Researchers have found that teams are more creative when one or more members act as a cultural broker. This means that members with knowledge about other cultures use their expertise to elicit ideas from colleagues or invite them to share their own.

Social workers

Social workers help people from diverse backgrounds deal with a variety of issues, including mental health problems, substance abuse, or family difficulties. They also analyze policies, programs, and regulations to find the best ways to address social problems.

School social workers provide support services to children in schools, such as guidance and counseling about school discipline and other matters. They often work closely with teachers to make sure students receive the right education and are prepared for future success.

Occupational social workers help organizations improve their efficiency and productivity. They may also advise employees on job counseling or organizing.

Social workers who work on a macro level, such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, or research institutes, develop programs to improve the social conditions of whole communities or populations. They identify social problems, study needs and related issues, conduct research, propose legislation, and suggest alternative approaches or new programs.

Diabetes health educators

Diabetes health educators help people with diabetes understand the role of nutrition in managing their condition and teach them to modify their dietary and cultural support routines to reduce their risk of complications. They also provide emotional support and help patients manage their medication.

Credentialed diabetes educators must have a degree or higher in nursing and are able to apply their knowledge in the biological and social sciences, communication, counseling, and pedagogy to assist patients in self-management of their disease and its associated conditions. They can also help identify when other health professionals may be needed to support diabetes patients.

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is an essential part of diabetes care. DSMES programs are available in a wide range of settings, including public health and community settings. They include group sessions, individual education, and online resources that are taught by trained diabetes health educators.