Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111595

Christopher Ogolla, MPH and Joan Cioffi, PhD. PHPPO/CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS-K-38, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-2480, cogolla@cdc.gov

Several studies have shown that SES, race, and ethnicity influence health outcomes. In March 2002, the Institute of Medicine report (Who will keep the public healthy:Educating public health professionals for the 21st century) found evidence that racial and ethnic minorities experience disparities in health care. The report recommended cultural competence as one of the eight content areas needed by public health professionals in the 21st century. Cultural competency has been listed as an important domain in previous documents – e.g. Public Health Workforce: Agenda for the 21st Century (1994) and Core Competencies for Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages-1999). This paper summarizes findings from studies of cultural competency training. Reported effects on individual or organizational performance are examined. A model is proposed for how workforce cultural competence might contribute to reducing health disparities and effective provision of the ten essential public health services. Recommendations for science, policy and practice are described.

Learning Objectives:

• 1-Define cultural competence and competency based- training
• 2-Assess evidence on the effectiveness of cultural competency training programs on individual and or organizational performance
• 3-Identify issues of science, policy and practice in addressing health disparities through cultural competency training

Keywords: Cultural Competency, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.