Understanding
the relationship between culture and communication is essential to meeting
the needs of diverse populations and improving health care and results. With
proper training, teaching materials, and reinforcement, health organizations
can address the cultural and language differences between the people who
provide information or services and the people they serve.
Health
professionals and educators can use the Primer for
teaching cultural competency as a starting point. The Primer: Cultural Competency and Health Literacy
guide provides teaching tools to improve cross-cultural communications
skills, deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services
to diverse populations, and develop programs and policies to improve health
outcomes and reduce health disparities.
Get
more information on trainings for Culture and Communication by visiting the CDC Health
Literacy website.
I used the Primer on Cultural Competency and Health Literacy as a guide and source for teaching tools as I developed my online course Health Literacy Language and Culture for Johns Hopkins University. I've taught the course for three years now and make improvements each year. It is very well received by graduate level health communications students.