Symposium Abstract

Amal Zeidman and Debbie Kollar

School of Health Sciences

Responding to Health Care Needs of the Arab Community in Southeast Michigan

This presentation addresses some of the unique characteristics of the Arab American culture and how the acceptability, access and utilization of health care services in Michigan are affected. The presentation is designed to increase intercultural sensitivity from the Arab American perspective and how two major health care systems in southeast Michigan have responded. Issues of multinational, Arab American heritage, immigration, religious beliefs and cultural expectations will be discussed. In addition, the State of Michigan has implemented several programs and provided resources to assist in the education of healthcare professionals about multicultural issues of relevance for health care delivery. These programs will be discussed in light of the status of the programs’ success and how such efforts will impact the delivery of health care in southeast Michigan in the future.

Session B — 10:00 a.m. — Faculty Lounge.