Project Summary:
Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) acknowledges health disparities among Wisconsin populations, including patients who have been economically and socially marginalized. MCHS data on the rural Hispanic patient population, comprised mainly of Chicano, Cuban, Hispanic or Latino, Mexican, Mexican-American, and Puerto Rican individuals in Clark and Wood counties, reveals significantly lower outcomes on key health metrics, such as blood pressure control, diabetes-related measures, and cancer and depression screenings.
Numerous barriers and social determinants of health (SDoH) negatively impact this population and contribute to poorer health outcomes. The proposed Cultural Broker program will address the healthcare barriers affecting this population. Serving as patient liaison, interpreter, and navigator, the Cultural Broker will be key to the continuum of care.
The Cultural Broker will help patients navigate the healthcare system, will increase patients’ health literacy, will improve communication and relationships between patients and providers, and will link patients with internal resources (e.g., Patient Assistance). The Cultural Broker will also provide training to primary care providers on culturally responsive care through currently established education opportunities and develop culturally appropriate resources that educate system providers and translate print pieces for patients.
Further developing the workforce pipeline and expanding program reach, the project will partner with MCHS AmeriCorps Community Corps to place up to two bilingual members in the MMC-Marshfield and MMC-Neillsville regions. AmeriCorps members will connect patients to available community resources that address their SDoH needs and collaborate with existing community-based organizations to improve MCHS and community collaboration.
This experience will provide AmeriCorps members with a community health worker certification that will increase their future employability in healthcare.