Description
"Cultural Competency" is one of public health's primary tools to closing the disparities gap in health service professions. It encompasses behaviors, attitudes, and policies that are integrated in a system, agency, or group of professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural settings and situations. While "culture" is commonly associated with race/ethnicity, it encompasses the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, and values of any social group. This course will examine both analytical and practical approaches to cultural competency in health services. Concepts, models, frameworks, and communication that occur in cross-cultural health situations will be discussed, but also the applicationof these concepts in real interventions and programs. Each class will generally include a short lecture, practical activities, and discussion. The lecture will review pertinent concepts for the week's topic area. Activities will include readings, student-led discuss