Cultural Competency

The term ‘melting pot’ instantly brings to mind the diverse national makeup of the United States. We’re a potpourri of people groups that includes different nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and languages. This uniqueness is what makes each of us special, but it can also make getting the best health care more difficult for many individuals.

For instance, differences in language or culture can impede the communication between patients and providers. Different understandings and beliefs about optimal health must also be considered. Cultural competency is something to which we should all aspire, but when it comes to our health, it is imperative for achieving the best quality care.

Resources

Regional

National

  • July 2010

  • Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.

  • Association for American Medical Colleges

  • National Center for Cultural Competence

  • The mission of the NCCC is to increase the capacity of health care and mental health care programs to design, implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems to address growing diversity, persistent disparities, and to promote health and mental health equity.

  • Narratives, each told in the storyteller's own words, about their experiences either growing up with disabilities or being part of a family who has been affected by disabilities. The stories are available in both English and Spanish. Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

  • Pew Hispanic Center

  • National Center for Cultural Competence

  • National Center for Cultural Competence

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health website offers CME/CE credit and equips health care professionals with awareness, knowledge, and skills to better treat the increasingly diverse U.S. population they serve.

  • A report from the National Council of La Raza

News

Regional

National

  • Kaiser Health News, June 27, 2013
    2013-06-27 10:42