Increasing Cultural Competence to Address Health Disparities
Behavioral health disparities pose a significant threat to the most vulnerable populations in our society. Whether manifesting themselves as elevated rates of substance use among American Indian/Alaska Natives, high rates of suicide among LGBT youth, or reduced access to quality health care among people living in rural areas, these disparities threaten the health and wellness of our society as a whole.
To overcome systemic barriers that may contribute to disparities, practitioners must develop and deliver prevention interventions in ways that ensure members of diverse cultural groups benefit from these efforts. This day-long training prepares practitioners to do this important work; it explores the connections between behavioral health disparities and cultural competence, and important strategies, including integration of cultural and linguistically appropriate service (CLAS) standards, that have been shown to be effective in reducing existing inequities.