Can Cultural Competence have an Impact on Health Disparities?

Abstract

Purpose – This chapter will explore the link between health disparities and cultural competence and demonstrate the importance of helping providers to understand how their personal biases can result in care that is inequitable and unsafe.

Methodology/approach – This chapter provides a literature review as well as case studies to illustrate the association between culture competence and health disparities.

Findings – Research has shown that racial and ethnic minorities experience more negative health outcomes as compared to Caucasians. Many of these health disparities are associated with communication difficulties created by language, cultural barriers, and low health literacy. These barriers often result in ethnic and racial minority patients having longer hospital stays for common medical and surgical conditions and more adverse events with greater consequences than Caucasians; moreover, minorities are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital after discharge.

Practical implications – Empowering health care providers with skills and techniques in cultural competence can reduce health disparities. Intentionally using cultural competence as an intervention to address health disparities can lead to more effective, patient-centered care, with improved health care outcomes.

Originality/value – This chapter will provide practical knowledge to help health care providers deliver culturally competent and patient-centered care.

Citation

Battle, B.A. (2012), "Can Cultural Competence have an Impact on Health Disparities?", Notaro, S.R. (Ed.) Health Disparities Among Under-served Populations: Implications for Research, Policy and Praxis (Advances in Education in Diverse Communities, Vol. 9), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 263-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-358X(2012)0000009016