The Karen community in Minnesota, the largest in the United States, faces unique challenges when it comes to navigating the complex American healthcare system. Many Karen immigrants are refugees from Burma, now known as Myanmar, and face cultural differences and language barriers that make it difficult to access healthcare services. To address this issue, health care organizations like M Health Fairview in the Twin Cities have hired professionals from these communities to serve as cultural brokers.
M Health Fairview has six cultural brokers representing various communities, including the Hmong, Karen, African American, Native American, and Latine communities. Lah Tha Pwee is one of the cultural brokers working with the Karen community. As an immigrant from Thailand, she plays a vital role in helping Karen immigrants access health care and other services. Lah Tha Pwee recently shared her experiences and insights in a conversation with MPR News guest host Nina Moini.
These cultural brokers serve as a bridge between health care providers and immigrant communities, helping to facilitate communication and understanding. By hiring individuals who come from the same communities they serve, health care organizations can better meet the needs of diverse populations. The work of cultural brokers like Lah Tha Pwee highlights the importance of culturally sensitive care in improving health outcomes for all individuals.
To listen to the full conversation with Lah Tha Pwee, subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Your support helps MPR News continue to provide accessible courageous journalism and authentic conversation to all listeners by removing paywalls and barriers so that everyone can access trusted news resources.
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In conclusion, addressing cultural differences and language barriers faced by immigrants when navigating complex systems such as healthcare is crucial for ensuring equitable access to services for all individuals. The work done by cultural brokers like Lah Tha Pwee highlights how hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds can lead to better outcomes for patients and improve overall healthcare systems across the nation.
