Author: IPRO

People Matter, Words Matter

People matter and the words we use to describe them or the disorders they have matter. Words can transmit stigma. Studies have shown that people with psychiatric and/or substance use disorders often feel judged, outside and inside the health care system. This can lead them to avoid, delay or stop seeking treatment. The way we talk about people with a behavioral disorder can change lives – in either a positive or negative manner.

You will find downloadable posters that address:

  • Use of Supportive Language That Makes a Person Feel Safe
  • Destigmatizing Language About Suicide
  • Culturally/Racially Aware Language
  • Perceptions about Mental Health Conditions
  • Using People First Language
  • Use of Compassionate SUD Language

Health Equity Organizational Assessment (HEOA) Resources

These resources supplement the HEOA and can help organizations committed to collecting, validating, stratifying and analyzing accurate patient demographic data identify and address health disparities.

HEOA Executive Summary: This resource, targeted to executive leaders in healthcare organizations, outlines the benefits of completing the HEOA from a C-Suite perspective.

Health Equity Roadmap: This roadmap is a step-by-step guide for implementing the key elements of health equity for organizations committed to a culture of equity.

Best Practices Strategies for Organization Health Equity: This resource outlines strategies and corresponding tasks and resources for each of the seven HEOA categories to assist organizations to address opportunities for improvement based on their HEOA assessment report.

HEOA Assessment FAQs: This resource has frequently asked questions and responses about the Health Equity Organizational Assessment (HEOA).

REaL Data Collection Toolbox: This Learning Toolbox focuses on healthcare facilities collecting data on race, ethnicity, and language preference (REaL) as an important component of the provision of equity in the healthcare setting. It includes a quick primer on data collection, and provides links to articles, tools, and resources to educate providers on the importance of knowing the diverse patient population for which they provide care.

Collecting REaL Data – Examples of How to Ask for REaL Data: This Resource Guide provides examples on how best to collect race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) data and ensure that it is being collected consistently and accurately.

The Americans With Disabilities Act and the Opioid Crisis: Combating Discrimination Against People in Treatment or Recovery

The opioid crisis poses an extraordinary challenge to communities throughout our country. The Department of Justice (the Department) has responded with a comprehensive approach prioritizing prevention, enforcement, and treatment. This includes enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) who are not engaging in illegal drug use, including those who are taking legally-prescribed medication to treat their OUD.

This guidance document provides information about how the ADA can protect individuals with OUD from discrimination—an important part of combating the opioid epidemic across American communities. While this document focuses on individuals with OUD, the legal principles discussed also apply to individuals with other types of substance use disorders.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, Addiction, and Recovery for State and Local Governments.

REaL Data Collection Toolbox

This Learning Toolbox focuses on healthcare facilities collecting data on race,
ethnicity, and language preference (REaL) as an important component of the
provision of equity in the healthcare setting.

It includes a quick primer on data collection, and provides links to articles, tools, and resources to educate providers on the importance of knowing the diverse patient population for which they provide care.