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12 CHAPTER 12: PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC HEALTH

a group of health professionals

Health workers must possess a strong grasp of the Spanish language, particularly in public health jargon. Spanish-speaking communities often encounter inequalities in obtaining public health resources, making effective communication crucial. A solid comprehension of public health concepts in Spanish empowers health workers to interact with diverse communities, disseminate vital information, and execute interventions tailored to meet the specific requirements of these communities.

Fluent in Spanish is extremely important for effectively communicating public health measures, such as vaccination campaigns, disease prevention strategies, and health promotion initiatives. When health workers can speak Spanish, it helps establish trust and cooperation with Spanish-speaking communities, which ultimately leads to greater participation in public health programs.

During critical situations like emergencies or disease outbreaks, it is crucial to communicate effectively in Spanish to ensure timely information distribution, prevent panic, and coordinate response efforts. Proficiency in Spanish also facilitates research collaborations and data collection within Spanish-speaking populations, which is essential for developing evidence-based public health strategies.

Mastering public health terminology in Spanish empowers communities to make informed decisions, improve health outcomes, and effectively address health disparities, promoting health equity.

What to find in this Chapter: 

In this chapter on Public Health in Spanish-Speaking Communities, you’ll find foundational knowledge on public health terminology and concepts essential for health workers engaging with Spanish-speaking populations. The chapter explores the importance of Spanish fluency in public health contexts, addressing challenges like health disparities and communication barriers that often affect these communities. Key topics include strategies for improving access to healthcare, especially in underserved and rural areas, and ways to build trust and encourage participation in public health initiatives.

You’ll also examine the role of health education, disease prevention, and emergency response in Spanish-speaking communities, emphasizing the need for clear, culturally sensitive communication. By understanding public health principles in Spanish, you will gain the skills to effectively advocate for and support equitable healthcare, promote community well-being, and address barriers to accessing resources and services.

This chapter includes vocabulary and communication activities to reinforce these public health concepts, along with translation exercises to build proficiency in discussing vaccination, disease prevention, and advocacy. Ultimately, you’ll be better prepared to engage with Spanish-speaking patients and communities, promoting health equity and fostering informed decision-making.

Vocabulary Activities:

1. Vocabulary Matching Activity: Public Health 

Objective:

The objective of this vocabulary matching activity is to strengthen students’ understanding of fundamental public health terms in Spanish. By matching each key term with its corresponding definition, students will build their public health vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and develop the ability to apply these concepts in healthcare discussions. This activity aims to empower students to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients, fostering more informed, accurate conversations about public health topics in diverse settings. Ultimately, it encourages active engagement with public health terminology, preparing students for real-world applications.

Match the safety items in column A with the correct translation in Spanish in column B

A                                                                 B

Epidemiology Condiciones relacionadas con la salud pública, especialmente la provisión de agua potable limpia y disposición adecuada de aguas residuales.
Vaccination La transmisión de una enfermedad por contacto directo o indirecto.
Outbreak El aislamiento de personas o animales que tienen o pueden haber estado expuestos a una enfermedad contagiosa para prevenir su propagación.
Pandemic Un brote de una enfermedad que ocurre en una amplia área geográfica y afecta a una proporción excepcionalmente alta de la población.
Disease La recopilación sistemática y continua, el análisis, la interpretación y la difusión de datos de salud para la planificación, implementación y evaluación de intervenciones de salud pública.
Prevention El estudio de la distribución y determinantes de estados o eventos relacionados con la salud en poblaciones especificadas y la aplicación de este estudio para el control de problemas de salud.
Sanitation La administración de una vacuna para estimular el sistema inmunológico a desarrollar inmunidad contra una enfermedad.
Hygiene La ocurrencia de casos de una enfermedad particular en una población, mayor de lo que normalmente se esperaría.
Immunization El proceso de capacitar a las personas para aumentar el control sobre su salud y mejorarla.
Community Condiciones o prácticas conducentes a mantener la salud y prevenir enfermedades, especialmente a través de la limpieza.
Health equity El proceso de hacer que una persona o animal sea inmune a una enfermedad infecciosa, típicamente mediante vacunación.
Surveillance Un grupo de personas que viven en el mismo lugar o tienen una característica particular en común, a menudo refiriéndose a un área geográfica o grupo social.
Health promotion La ausencia de diferencias injustas y evitables en el estado de salud entre grupos de personas, incluyendo diferencias que son evitables e injustas.
Biostatistics Decisiones, planes y acciones emprendidas para lograr objetivos específicos de atención médica dentro de una sociedad.
Environmental health El proceso de capacitar a las personas para aumentar el control sobre su salud y mejorarla.
Infectious La aplicación de estadísticas a fenómenos biológicos y relacionados con la salud.
Vector La rama de la salud pública que se preocupa por comprender cómo el medio ambiente influye en la salud y la enfermedad humana.
Contagion Capaz de causar infección; a menudo se refiere a enfermedades causadas por patógenos como bacterias, virus, parásitos o hongos.
Quarantine Un brote de una enfermedad que ocurre en una amplia área geográfica y afecta a una proporción excepcionalmente alta de la población.
Epidemiologist Decisiones, planes y acciones emprendidas para lograr objetivos específicos de atención médica dentro de una sociedad.
Health education Una afección médica de larga duración que generalmente puede controlarse pero no curarse, como la diabetes o la enfermedad cardíaca.
Risk assessment Una enfermedad que puede ser transmitida de animales a humanos.
Contact tracing Conocimiento y comprensión entre el público en general sobre temas y riesgos relacionados con la salud.
Health policy Las acciones coordinadas tomadas en respuesta a un evento o crisis inesperada, como un desastre natural o brote de enfermedad.
Chronic disease Las instalaciones, personal y equipos necesarios para la prestación de servicios de salud.
Maternal health Las organizaciones, instituciones y recursos involucrados en la prestación de servicios de salud a una población.
Child health Acciones tomadas por individuos, grupos o comunidades para promover, proteger o preservar la salud.
Nutrition La difusión de información de salud y la promoción de comportamientos saludables a través de diversos canales y métodos.
Mental health La provisión de atención médica básica, generalmente proporcionada por médicos generales o médicos de familia, centrada en la prevención y el manejo de problemas de salud comunes.
Substance abuse La prueba de individuos para la presencia de una enfermedad o condición de salud antes de que aparezcan los síntomas, para permitir la detección y tratamiento tempranos.
Social determinants El proceso de evaluar los efectos potenciales de una política, programa o proyecto en la salud de una población.
Health disparities El uso dañino o peligroso de sustancias psicoactivas, incluyendo alcohol y drogas ilícitas.
Global health Las condiciones en las que las personas nacen, crecen, viven, trabajan y envejecen, que pueden influir significativamente en los resultados de salud.
Water quality Diferencias en los resultados de salud entre diferentes grupos de población, a menudo vinculadas a desventajas sociales, económicas o ambientales.
Air quality La salud de las poblaciones en un contexto global, con un enfoque en problemas de salud y desafíos que trascienden las fronteras nacionales.
Zoonosis Las características químicas, físicas y biológicas del agua, que pueden afectar su idoneidad para beber y otros usos.
Public awareness La condición del aire en relación con sus efectos sobre la salud y el medio ambiente, a menudo medida por la concentración de contaminantes.
Emergency response El desarrollo y cumplimiento de reglas y estándares para proteger la salud pública y la seguridad.
Health infrastructure La capacidad de los individuos para acceder, comprender y utilizar información y servicios de salud para tomar decisiones informadas sobre su salud.
Health systems Los mecanismos y recursos utilizados para financiar servicios e intervenciones de salud.
Health behavior La rama de la salud pública preocupada por la salud y seguridad de las personas en el lugar de trabajo.
Health communication Acciones tomadas para mejorar o proteger la salud, incluyendo estrategias de prevención, tratamiento y manejo.
Primary care La salud de las mujeres durante el embarazo, el parto y el período postparto.
Screening La salud de los lactantes, niños y adolescentes.
Health impact assessment El proceso de proporcionar u obtener los alimentos necesarios para la salud y el crecimiento.
Health regulation El estado de bienestar en el que un individuo realiza sus propias habilidades, puede hacer frente a las tensiones normales de la vida, puede trabajar productivamente y puede hacer una contribución a su comunidad.
Health literacy Un brote de una enfermedad que ocurre en una amplia área geográfica y afecta a una proporción excepcionalmente alta de la población.
Health financing Un trastorno de estructura o función en un ser humano, animal o planta, especialmente uno que produce signos o síntomas específicos.
Occupational health Acciones tomadas para evitar la ocurrencia, progresión o recurrencia de una enfermedad o condición de salud.
Health intervention Un científico que estudia los patrones, causas y efectos de condiciones de salud y enfermedad en poblaciones definidas.

 

2. Vocabulary Matching Activity: Public Health in Schools 

Objective:

The goal of this vocabulary matching activity is to enhance students’ understanding of public health concepts as applied to school settings. By identifying key terms within the text and creating a glossary with definitions in Spanish, students will expand their public health vocabulary and deepen their comprehension of health principles that support well-being in educational environments. This activity prepares students to discuss and apply public health strategies relevant to schools, empowering them to engage in informed conversations with Spanish-speaking communities about health promotion and disease prevention in educational contexts.

Instructions:

  1. Read the following Text about public health in schools.

In public schools, public health plays a pivotal role in nurturing thriving communities. Through health education, students learn about prevention strategies, including vaccination schedules and hygiene practices. Epidemiologists study the patterns of diseases within the school environment to identify potential outbreaks and mitigate risks. In times of crisis, such as a pandemic, robust surveillance systems are vital for early detection and response.

Health equity is a cornerstone principle, ensuring all students have access to necessary resources and services regardless of their background. Addressing social determinants of health, such as access to nutritious food and safe housing, is essential in promoting community well-being.

Maintaining sanitation standards within schools, including clean water sources and proper waste disposal, is fundamental for environmental health. Furthermore, promoting mental health awareness and providing support services can help address substance abuse issues among students.

Regular screening programs and contact tracing efforts help identify potential health risks early on, while comprehensive health impact assessments guide policy decisions. Collaborative efforts between schools and local authorities ensure effective emergency response plans, including protocols for quarantine measures if necessary.

Investment in health infrastructure and robust health systems ensures that students receive timely and quality care when needed. Primary care services within schools offer accessible healthcare options, including immunization clinics and support for chronic disease management.

Overall, integrating public health principles into public schools fosters a culture of wellness and resilience, preparing students to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

2. Identify the underlined terms in the text.
3. Create a glossary in Spanish, providing the definitions of each underlined term based on your understanding of the text.

Communication activities:

1. Creating and Presenting a Public Health Flyer

Objective:

  • To develop communication skills in Spanish by creating a flyer with basic information related to public health in rural communities for immigrant workers.
  • To practice presenting information orally in Spanish in front of the class.

Instructions:

  1. Form groups of four students each.
  2. Your group’s task is to create a Spanish flyer for immigrant workers in rural areas about basic information related to public health in rural communities.
  3. Use resources such as textbooks, online articles, or handouts about public health issues in rural communities, focusing on topics relevant to immigrant workers.
  4. Design your flyer with clear and concise information, using visuals, bullet points, and simple language to convey key messages effectively.
  5. Collaborate with your group members to brainstorm ideas and allocate tasks for creating the flyer.
  6. Once your flyer is completed, prepare to present it to the class in Spanish.

2. Gathering Public Health Information in a Rural Community

Objective:

To simulate a scenario where public health officials interact with immigrant farmers living in a rural community to gather information about public health issues.

Instructions:

Use the following survey:

  1. ¿Cuáles crees que son los principales problemas de salud en nuestra comunidad rural?
  2. ¿Qué enfermedades son más comunes entre los residentes de nuestra comunidad?
  3. ¿Crees que hay suficiente acceso a servicios de atención médica en nuestra área rural?
  4. ¿Qué obstáculos enfrentan los residentes de nuestra comunidad para acceder a atención médica?
  5. ¿Cuál es la disponibilidad de instalaciones de saneamiento básico en nuestra comunidad rural?
  6. ¿Qué medidas se están tomando para garantizar la calidad del agua potable en nuestra área rural?
  7. ¿Qué papel juega la alimentación en la salud de nuestra comunidad rural?
  8. ¿Existen programas de educación sobre nutrición en nuestra comunidad?
  9. ¿Cómo afecta la falta de acceso a alimentos saludables a la salud de nuestra comunidad?
  10. ¿Qué riesgos ambientales enfrentan los residentes de nuestra área rural?
  11. ¿Cómo se manejan los desechos sólidos y líquidos en nuestra comunidad?
  12. ¿Qué impacto tiene la exposición a pesticidas y productos químicos agrícolas en la salud de los residentes rurales?
  13. ¿Cuál es la disponibilidad de servicios de salud mental en nuestra área rural?
  14. ¿Cómo se abordan los problemas de salud mental en nuestra comunidad?
  15. ¿Qué programas de prevención de enfermedades se están implementando en nuestra área rural?
  16. ¿Se llevan a cabo campañas de vacunación regularmente en nuestra comunidad?
  17. ¿Cómo se gestionan los brotes de enfermedades infecciosas en nuestra área rural?
  18. ¿Qué medidas de control de vectores se implementan para prevenir enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos, garrapatas, etc.?
  19. ¿Qué recursos se destinan a la promoción de estilos de vida saludables en nuestra comunidad rural?
  20. ¿Cuál crees que es el mayor desafío para mejorar la salud pública en nuestra área rural?
Roles:
  • Student 1: Public health official
  • Student 2: Public health official
  • Student 3: Immigrant farmer living in a rural community
  • Student 4: Immigrant farmer living in a rural community
Instructions for the role-play activity:
  1. Pair up with a partner. One pair will act as public health officials, and the other will act as immigrant farmers.
  2. Public health officials (Students 1 and 2) will interview immigrant farmers (Students 3 and 4) to gather information about public health concerns in their rural community.
  3. Use the provided questionnaire of 20 questions related to public health issues in rural communities.
  4. Public health officials (Students 1 and 2) should ask the immigrant farmers questions in Spanish (Students 3 and 4).
  5. Immigrant farmers (Students 3 and 4) should respond to the questions based on their understanding of the role of immigrant farmers living in rural communities.
  6. Engage in dialogue and exchange information effectively, using your Spanish language skills.
  7. Actively listen to each other’s responses and ask follow-up questions if needed.
  8. After the role-play, debrief as a class, discussing the effectiveness of communication, insights gained, and the importance of understanding public health issues in rural communities.
  9. Reflect on the role of immigrant farmers in contributing to public health initiatives and the significance of collaboration between public health officials and community members.
Role Play Scenario:
  • Public health officials approach immigrant farmers who are working on a farm in a rural community.
  • Introduce yourselves as public health officials and explain that you are surveying to gather information about public health issues in the community.
  • Public health officials (Students 1 and 2) will proceed to ask the questions from the questionnaire in Spanish, while immigrant farmers (Students 3 and 4) will respond based on their experiences and observations.
  • Listen to each other’s responses, ask follow-up questions, and take notes for further analysis.
  • Continue the role-play until all questions have been asked and answered or until the allotted time for the activity has elapsed.

 

Translation Challenge

1. vaccination for children and adults in rural communities

Translate from English to Spanish the following text:

  1. Prevention of Disease Outbreaks: Vaccination helps prevent the outbreak of contagious diseases in rural areas with limited healthcare access, thus reducing the risk of widespread illness.
  2. Protection of Vulnerable Populations: Vaccinating individuals in rural areas protects vulnerable populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised, from vaccine-preventable diseases.
  3. Reduced Healthcare Costs: Vaccination reduces healthcare costs associated with treating vaccine-preventable diseases, including hospitalization, medication, and doctor’s visits. This is particularly important for rural communities with limited access to medical facilities.
  4. Preservation of Agricultural Workforce: Vaccinating rural adults involved in agriculture and animal husbandry maintains a healthy workforce, preventing disruptions in food production and livelihoods due to illness.
  5. Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases: Vaccinating both humans and animals in rural areas can help prevent the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which can spread between animals and humans. This helps safeguard public health and food safety.
  6. Community Protection: Vaccination creates herd immunity within communities, protecting even unvaccinated individuals due to medical reasons.
  7. Improved School Attendance: Vaccinating children in rural communities reduces school absenteeism due to illness, ensuring continuity in education and promoting overall well-being among children of school age.
  8. Prevention of Travel-related Diseases: Vaccinating travelers from rural areas helps prevent the spread of diseases to other regions, reduces the risk of outbreaks, and protects local and global public health.
  9. Public Health Equity: Ensuring access to vaccines in rural communities promotes health equity by bridging healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas for children and adults.
  10. Global Health Security: Vaccination in rural communities is critical to global health security as it prevents the spread of infectious diseases across borders, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

2. Discussing Translation Challenges

  1. Translation Difficulties Discussion: Discuss the challenges you encountered while translating the paragraph in pairs or small groups. Consider intricacies related to medical terms, cultural concepts, and maintaining the original meaning.
  2. Comparison and Analysis:
    • Classmate 1: Review their translation and identify any differences or similarities compared to your own. Note any distinct phrasing or choices they made.
    • Classmate 2: Analyze their translation and pinpoint any variations in wording, tone, or structure compared to your translation.
    • Classmate 3: Evaluate their translation, focusing on differences or similarities in conveying the original paragraph’s nuances and meaning.
    • Classmate 4: Examine their translation, highlighting any unique approaches or word choices that deviate from your version.

3.  Sharing Insights

    1. Group Discussion: Come together as a class and share your observations from comparing the translations. Discuss the intricacies of translating legal and technical terms, adapting cultural context, and maintaining clarity.
    2. Reflection and Feedback: Reflect on the challenges of translating legal and bureaucratic language. Discuss the importance of conveying accurate information while ensuring the text remains comprehensible for the target audience.

2.  best practices related to public health advocacy for immigrant communities

Translate from English to Spanish the following text:

Advocating for Immigrant Communities requires considering several factors. Cultural sensitivity is key, and it implies understanding and respecting immigrant communities’ cultural beliefs, practices, and languages when designing advocacy initiatives. We need to adapt communication materials and outreach efforts to resonate with the cultural norms and preferences of the community we are trying to reach.

Community engagement is also crucial, and we must foster active participation and involvement of immigrant community members in the advocacy process. Establishing partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and influencers is an effective way to ensure representation and meaningful engagement.

Language access is another key factor, and it requires providing information and resources in multiple languages commonly spoken by immigrant community members. We must use interpreters or bilingual staff to facilitate communication and ensure equitable access to public health information and services.

Education and empowerment are also critical. Empowering immigrant community members with knowledge about their rights, available resources, and how to navigate the healthcare system is essential. Offering workshops, training, and informational sessions on relevant public health topics is an effective way to achieve this.

Culturally competent services are necessary to advocate for, and we must ensure that healthcare providers are trained in cultural competency and sensitivity. This way, we can provide culturally appropriate healthcare services that meet the unique needs of immigrant communities.

We must also advocate for local, state, and national policies that address the specific health needs and challenges immigrant communities face. Collaborating with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community members is an effective way to influence policy decisions.

Addressing social determinants of health is another key factor. We need to recognize and address social determinants of health, such as immigration status, language barriers, housing instability, and employment conditions, that impact the health outcomes of immigrant communities. Advocating for policies and programs that address these underlying factors is necessary.

Health literacy is also essential, and we must promote it among immigrant community members by providing accessible and culturally relevant health education materials. Offering workshops and training to improve understanding of health topics and promote informed decision-making is an effective way to achieve this.

Advocating for increased access to affordable and culturally appropriate healthcare services for immigrant communities, including preventive care, primary care, mental health services, and reproductive health services, is also necessary.

Finally, building coalitions and partnerships with other advocacy organizations, healthcare providers, government agencies, and community stakeholders is necessary to amplify the voice and impact of public health advocacy efforts for immigrant communities. Collaborating on joint advocacy campaigns and initiatives to address shared goals and priorities is a great way to achieve this.

Discussing Translation Challenges

  1. Translation Difficulties Discussion: Discuss the challenges you encountered while translating the paragraph in pairs or small groups. Consider intricacies related to medical terms, cultural concepts, and maintaining the original meaning.
  2. Comparison and Analysis:
    • Classmate 1: Review their translation and identify any differences or similarities compared to your own. Note any distinct phrasing or choices they made.
    • Classmate 2: Analyze their translation and pinpoint any variations in wording, tone, or structure compared to your translation.
    • Classmate 3: Evaluate their translation, focusing on differences or similarities in conveying the original paragraph’s nuances and meaning.
    • Classmate 4: Examine their translation, highlighting any unique approaches or word choices that deviate from your version.

3.  Sharing Insights

    1. Group Discussion: Come together as a class and share your observations from comparing the translations. Discuss the intricacies of translating legal and technical terms, adapting cultural context, and maintaining clarity.
    2. Reflection and Feedback: Reflect on the challenges of translating legal and bureaucratic language. Discuss the importance of conveying accurate information while ensuring the text remains comprehensible for the target audience.

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Spanish for Health Professionals Copyright © by dvasquezhurtado is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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