There's still work to be done when it comes to creating an environment in which Hmong residents are comfortable with Western medicine, including easing cultural and language barriers.

Candice Adam-Medefind, executive director for Healthy House Within a MATCH Coalition in Merced, said "We still have a lot of providers who don't recognize how critical language access is."

To examine what has been done to try to remove those barriers over the last couple of years, the local group will bring in an author who has explored the issue in Merced.

Anne Fadiman wrote "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down," which is set in Merced. She will be the keynote speaker at Healthy House's annual multicultural dinner on Saturday at the Merced Elks Club. Four Mercedians featured in the book will participate in a panel discussion with the author.

They will talk about the improvements in the gap between Hmong beliefs and Western medical practices that have been made since the book was published in 1998.

Adam-Medefind said several actions have been taken. "The writing of that book was one of the main events that prompted the setting up of the Healthy House in the community to address the cultural clash between Hmong shamans and the Western medicine establishment," she said.

In addition, the nationally recognized program, Partners in Healing, has made strong contributions to the advancements in the disparities between Hmong beliefs and Western medicine.

The program allows Hmong spiritual healers, known as shamans, to conduct healing ceremonies when requested by Hmong patients or family members to meet their spiritual needs, provide support and promote optimal healing.

The program is made possible by a partnership between the Healthy House and Mercy Medical Center.

In a community as diverse as Merced, culturally competent health care services and language access continue to be an issue, Adam-Medefind said.

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Hmong health care gap focus of Healthy House dinner