Cultural Competency & Health Equity

Mandatory in CA, NJ, WA, and CT. Implicit bias, culturally responsive care, health disparities, and social determinants of health.

8 Units

20 minutes per unit

Curriculum Map

What You Will Learn

Implicit Bias

How unconscious bias affects clinical decision-making — evidence from research and strategies for mitigation.

Health Disparities

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in outcomes — the data, the causes, and the interventions that work.

Inclusive Care

LGBTQ+ health considerations, language access, disability-competent care, and culturally responsive communication.

All Units

20 minutes

Understanding and Addressing Implicit Bias in Healthcare

Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. In healthcare, these biases contribute to disparities in care quality and outcomes across demographic groups.

•Define implicit bias and explain how it differs from explicit bias
•Identify common implicit biases affecting healthcare delivery and outcomes
•Apply strategies to recognize and mitigate personal implicit biases

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20 minutes

Cultural Humility: A Lifelong Commitment

Cultural humility represents a shift from mastery-based cultural competence to a process of lifelong learning, self-reflection, and partnership with patients. This approach acknowledges the limitations of cultural knowledge and emphasizes respect for patients' expertise about their own lives.

•Distinguish between cultural competence and cultural humility approaches
•Apply principles of cultural humility in patient-provider relationships
•Recognize the importance of self-reflection and power balance in cross-cultural care

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20 minutes

Health Disparities by Race, Ethnicity & Socioeconomic Status

This unit examines health disparities affecting racial, ethnic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Clinicians learn the scope of documented inequities, underlying mechanisms including structural racism and social determinants, and evidence-based strategies for reducing disparities through clinical practice and advocacy.

•Identify documented health disparities in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare access across racial and ethnic groups
•Analyze how socioeconomic factors including income, education, and neighborhood contribute to health inequities
•Apply strategies to mitigate disparities through culturally responsive clinical practice and system-level interventions

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20 minutes

LGBTQ+ Health Considerations & Inclusive Care

This unit examines LGBTQ+ health disparities, barriers to care, and clinical competencies for providing affirming services. Clinicians learn inclusive communication, screening for unique health risks, and evidence-based care for gender transition, sexual health, and mental health needs in LGBTQ+ populations.

•Describe health disparities and unique healthcare needs affecting LGBTQ+ populations
•Apply inclusive communication practices including appropriate pronoun use and terminology
•Implement clinical best practices for sexual health, hormone therapy monitoring, and mental health support

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20 minutes

Language Access Requirements & Interpreter Use

This unit examines language access as a civil right and clinical necessity. Clinicians learn legal requirements, evidence supporting professional interpreter use, and practical skills for working with interpreters to provide safe, effective care for patients with limited English proficiency.

•Describe federal and state legal requirements for providing language access services
•Compare appropriate and inappropriate interpreter options including professional interpreters, family members, and bilingual staff
•Implement best practices for working effectively with medical interpreters to optimize communication

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20 minutes

Disability-Competent Care & ADA Compliance

This unit examines disability-competent healthcare that respects autonomy, ensures accessibility, and addresses health needs holistically. Clinicians learn ADA compliance, social model principles, and strategies for overcoming barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing quality healthcare.

•Apply the social model of disability to clinical practice and distinguish it from the medical model
•Implement ADA requirements for accessible facilities, equipment, and communication
•Provide person-centered care addressing health needs while respecting autonomy and avoiding ableism

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20 minutes

Social Determinants of Health Framework

This unit examines social determinants of health—economic, environmental, and social conditions affecting health outcomes. Clinicians learn screening tools, referral strategies, and healthcare system innovations addressing social needs as fundamental components of comprehensive healthcare.

•Define social determinants of health and explain their impact on health outcomes
•Screen for social needs including food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation barriers
•Connect patients with community resources addressing social determinants through effective referral systems

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20 minutes

Culturally Responsive Communication Strategies

This unit examines culturally responsive communication as foundational to equitable care. Clinicians learn strategies for building trust, navigating cross-cultural interactions, addressing health literacy, and ensuring communication promotes rather than undermines patient autonomy and therapeutic relationships.

•Apply culturally responsive communication techniques that build trust and therapeutic relationships
•Recognize and mitigate communication patterns that reinforce power imbalances and undermine patient autonomy
•Implement shared decision-making approaches that integrate patient values and cultural contexts

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