The English-Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms was developed as an instrument for health care personnel and other professionals working with the Latino population in the United States. The main purpose of the dictionary is to strengthen communication between Spanish-speaking populations and the health workers serving them, and facilitate dialogue by reducing cultural and linguistic barriers.

The first edition of the English-Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms was based on the "English-Spanish Glossary for Health Aids," published in 1999 by the Primary and Rural Health Care Systems Branch, California Department of Health Services.

This third edition includes nearly 14,000 terms, about 4,000 more than the 2nd edition. The majority of the new terms are related to emergency and disaster preparedness. In addition there is a comprehensive list of terms related to anatomy, signs and symptoms, communicable diseases, chronic diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, occupational health, environmental health, oral health, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and traditional medicine. Also, many popular terms used in Mexico and Central America to describe signs and symptoms of illness have been included in the dictionary.

This dictionary is a joint effort of the Health Initiative of the Americas (HIA), California Policy Research Center, University of California Office of the President, and the California Office of Binational Border Health (COBBH), Department of Health Services. The compilation of materials, editing, and review of this third edition could not have been accomplished without the collaboration of countless people working in the following organizations:

• Emergency Preparedness Office, California Department of Health Services
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME)
• Mexican Children's Hospital
• Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS)
• Mexican National Institute of Public Health
• Mexican Secretariat of Health
• Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista/AHEC-CalPEN
• University of California, Davis
• U.S.- Mexico Science Fundation (FUMEC)
• U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission (USMBHC)

Publication of this edition was made possible by the generous support of the California Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pilsen-Little Village Community Mental Health Center - Illinois, Heartland Alliance, Illinois Migrant Council, Mexican Community Center-DFW, Health Net of California, The California Endowment (TCE), and The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF).

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Binational Health Week

This year, the Ninth BHW will take place October 5-15, 2009 in 40 states in the U.S. and 3 provinces in Canada, with the participation of the consular networks in the United States of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, during BHW four national campaigns will be implemented take place to promote awareness among the underserved Latino community on Prevention of Addictions, Nutrition, Prevention of Strokes, and Living Green.

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