Diversity and Alberta Health Services

Diversity Resources

Diversity Definitions

Diversity

We define diversity as all the ways we are unique and different from others.

Dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to, aspects such as: ethnicity, religion and spiritual beliefs, cultural orientation, colour, physical appearance, gender, sexual orientation, ability, education, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, socio-economic circumstance, profession, language, health status, geographic location, group history, upbringing and life experiences.

Diverse Populations

Since our definition of diversity is broad, it could theoretically include all people and all populations. Diverse populations therefore refers to those populations who experience health disparities and negative health impacts related to the determinants of health. Specifically, these populations are:

Immigrants and refugees: Immigrants are people who are involved in the process of immigration or who have settled permanently in another country. Refugees are people who are forced to leave their country of origin and are unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of ethnicity, religion, nationality, and membership in a particular social group or political opinion
Persons with disabilities: People with an impairment, activity limitation, or participation restriction that substantially affects one or more life activities. Disabilities may be classified into one or a number of functional limitations, including mobility, agility, visual, hearing, learning and others impairments (Health and Activity Limitation Study).
Gender and sexually diverse persons – All people who identify themselves as being gender and sexually diverse. This includes but is not limited to people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Inter-sexed, Transgender, and Two-spirited.
Persons living in poverty – A condition of the human being where they do not have sufficient economic and other resources to live with the dignity, choices and power which support full participation in society.
Persons experiencing homelessness – People who do not have a permanent residence to which they can return whenever they choose.
Persons with low literacy skills – People who do not have the ability to understand and use reading, writing, speaking and other forms of communication as ways to participate in society and achieve one’s goals and potential.

It is important to note that the Aboriginal Health Program that is designed to meet the unique needs of these communities by focusing on equitable access and culturally appropriate and safe health care. The need to consider the Aboriginal community as separate from other diverse populations is recognized at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Diversity Competency

Diversity Competency is the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to individuals, families and communities of all diverse backgrounds in a manner that protects and preserves their dignity and recognizes, affirms, and values their differences, similarities and worth.

Interpretation

Interpretation is the conversion of oral speech from one language into another while translation is the conversion of written texts. Interpretation is provided for people who speak limited English or no English.

Translation:

Translation is the conversion of written texts from one language into another. Translation of patient/client education materials is an important indicator of a diversity competent organization that the Calgary Health Region has initiated. Translated documents allow patients/clients and their families who read languages other than English to access written health information or pamphlets.

* Please see the Regional Diversity Directional Document for definition references.

Diversity and Alberta Health Services Home Diversity Competency Resources Publications Demographics Programs & Services Health Info. for Diverse Populations Community Partners Contact Us	Diversity and Alberta Health Services Diversity Resources Diversity Definitions On-line Diversity Competency Self-Assessments \| Diversity FAQ's \| Diversity Library \| Diversity Definitions \| Health and Diverse Populations \| Research & Publications Diversity We define diversity as all the ways we are unique and different from others. Dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to, aspects such as: ethnicity, religion and spiritual beliefs, cultural orientation, colour, physical appearance, gender, sexual orientation, ability, education, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, socio-economic circumstance, profession, language, health status, geographic location, group history, upbringing and life experiences. Diverse Populations Since our definition of diversity is broad, it could theoretically include all people and all populations. Diverse populations therefore refers to those populations who experience health disparities and negative health impacts related to the determinants of health. Specifically, these populations are: Immigrants and refugees: Immigrants are people who are involved in the process of immigration or who have settled permanently in another country. Refugees are people who are forced to leave their country of origin and are unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of ethnicity, religion, nationality, and membership in a particular social group or political opinion Persons with disabilities: People with an impairment, activity limitation, or participation restriction that substantially affects one or more life activities. Disabilities may be classified into one or a number of functional limitations, including mobility, agility, visual, hearing, learning and others impairments (Health and Activity Limitation Study). Gender and sexually diverse persons – All people who identify themselves as being gender and sexually diverse. This includes but is not limited to people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Inter-sexed, Transgender, and Two-spirited. Persons living in poverty – A condition of the human being where they do not have sufficient economic and other resources to live with the dignity, choices and power which support full participation in society. Persons experiencing homelessness – People who do not have a permanent residence to which they can return whenever they choose. Persons with low literacy skills – People who do not have the ability to understand and use reading, writing, speaking and other forms of communication as ways to participate in society and achieve one’s goals and potential. It is important to note that the Aboriginal Health Program that is designed to meet the unique needs of these communities by focusing on equitable access and culturally appropriate and safe health care. The need to consider the Aboriginal community as separate from other diverse populations is recognized at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Diversity Competency Diversity Competency is the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to individuals, families and communities of all diverse backgrounds in a manner that protects and preserves their dignity and recognizes, affirms, and values their differences, similarities and worth. Interpretation Interpretation is the conversion of oral speech from one language into another while translation is the conversion of written texts. Interpretation is provided for people who speak limited English or no English. Translation: Translation is the conversion of written texts from one language into another. Translation of patient/client education materials is an important indicator of a diversity competent organization that the Calgary Health Region has initiated. Translated documents allow patients/clients and their families who read languages other than English to access written health information or pamphlets. * Please see the Regional Diversity Directional Document for definition references.
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