Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

SAN JUAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Farmington, NM
Health Topics in the Navajo Language

What is it? 
Many Navajos who live on the reservation in the Four Corners area have little or no access to information on health topics in the Navajo language.  Although most Navajos speak English, many speak English as a second language.  In order to provide basic health information on subjects such as healthy eating, diabetes, diagnostic tests, childhood immunizations, etc. to this population, San Juan Regional Medical Center provides regular radio broadcasts on a Navajo language radio station.  Two 10 minute segments, each on a different health topic, are prepared in English every month, and a Navajo speaking nurse from San Juan Regional Medical Center translates them for broadcast.  We also do a 60 second short topic each month.

Who is it for? 
Navajos who speak only Navajo or speak Navajo as their first language.

Why do they do it? 
Native Americans suffer greater disease rates for many diseases than most other populations.  Part of the problem is overcoming the language and distance barrier in providing health education.

Contact:  Dennis Mathis
Public Relations Coordinator
Telephone:  505-324-2238
E-mail:  dmathis@sjrmc.net