Definition:
A set of values that best represents the primary ethno-cultural-racial origins of a client seeking treatment at an agency.
Guide for Use:
Only one descriptor of the client's ethno-cultural-racial status is permitted; this descriptor should be the one that the client identifies as her/his primary ethno-cultural-racial status.
This information is collected at the initiation of treatment services. This information is typically client self-reported. However, it may also be obtained from referral documentation or from family members. All information collected is to be confirmed by the client or by the substitute decision maker.
Format:
| Permissible Values |
|---|
| African |
| American (USA) |
| Arab |
| Black |
| Canadian |
| Caribbean |
| Central American |
| Chinese |
| Dutch |
| East European |
| East Indian |
| English |
| First Nations |
| French |
| French-Canadian |
| German |
| Greek |
| Hungarian |
| Inuit |
| Irish |
| Italian |
| Japanese |
| Jewish |
| Korean |
| Métis |
| Other* |
| Other South East Asia |
| Polish |
| Portuguese |
| Punjabi |
| Scandinavian |
| Scottish |
| South American |
| Spanish |
| Ukrainian |
| Unknown |
| Vietnamese |
*Selected when the self-identified group is not available on the list; client unable or unwilling to provide a response - selected when the client or substitute decision maker were asked to provide a response and refused, preferred not to respond or were unable to provide a response; Collection of a response was not possible – selected when a response may not have been requested or was not recorded and it is no longer possible to collect a response.
Context:
Used to:
monitor service utilization by cultural and ethnic groups
assess issues of access equity among the population seeking and being admitted to SA and/or PG treatment
assess whether programs are appropriately available and targeted for various linguistic or cultural groups
ensure that ethnic groups vulnerable to certain conditions are provided with targeted care
plan improvement for outreach to vulnerable groups that do not access care at the same level as other groups
address access challenges particular to these vulnerable groups
to monitor improvement to preventative care and readmissions.
Addressing disparities in health service delivery and planning requires a solid understanding of key barriers to equitable access to high quality care and of the specific needs of health-disadvantaged populations; and this requires an array of effective data. The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified social determinants of health as having the potential to clarify important pathways to health outcomes and may suggest powerful approaches to address identified health inequities. These data can be used to alone and or in conjunction with other social determinants of health to:
- Monitor service utilization by vulnerable or marginalized groups within a general population
- Identify barriers to service for vulnerable or marginalized groups within a general population
- Assess issues of access equity among the population seeking and being admitted to SA and/or PG treatment
- Assess whether programs are appropriately available and targeted.
- Develop recommendations for adjustments to mitigate negative impacts as well as maximize positive impacts on the health of vulnerable and marginalized groups
- Embed equity across the organization and the system
- Support equity-based improvement in program/service and system design
