Cultural Competency in Action

In public health, we often talk about data, policies, and programs—but one of the most powerful tools for improving health outcomes is often overlooked: culture. To truly serve communities equitably, we must first understand the cultural beliefs, practices, and values that shape how people experience health.

Culture informs our world view and influences the decisions we make about health and the health of other people that we may care for (e.g. children, parents, partners). That’s where cultural competency and cultural humility come into play.

What Are Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility?

Cultural competency refers to the ability to effectively interact with people from different cultures through an understanding of their beliefs, behaviors, and needs (1). It involves ongoing learning, self-awareness, and the ability to adapt your communication and practice to meet people where they are.

Cultural humility, on the other hand, is a lifelong process of self-reflection and learning. It acknowledges that we cannot become “fully competent” in someone else’s experience, but we can remain open, curious, and committed to equity (2). Together, these principles are essential for building trust, dismantling systemic barriers, and advancing public health equity. Embracing these principles and actively trying to understand other cultures makes us stronger public health practitioners.

Why Culture Matters

Culture deeply influences:

How people perceive illness and wellness
When and how people seek care
Trust in public health institutions
Understanding and acceptance of health recommendations
Communication between the provider and the patient

Without cultural awareness, public health messages can miss their mark—or worse, alienate the very communities we aim to support. Tailoring health education and services through a cultural lens helps close gaps in care, improve health literacy, and strengthen community engagement (1,3-4).

Strategies to Incorporate Cultural Competency

Here are several ways public health professionals can embed cultural competency into their work:

Conduct a cultural self-assessment: Reflect on your own cultural background, privileges, and potential biases. How might they impact your work?
Engage communities as co-creators—not just recipients—of programs and materials. Community members are the experts on their communities and their needs. Their perspectives should be heard, valued, and included in decision-making.
Be curious and ask respectful questions at an appropriate time to learn more about a person's culture. Attend cultural events. However, do not place the burden on the person to be your "personal cultural educator".
Use culturally appropriate language and visuals in health education campaigns.
Build organizational capacity through training, policies, and diverse staffing.
Commit to lifelong learning through professional development opportunities and self learning.

Join a community of changemakers

At Beacon Public Health, we know that achieving health equity requires both head and heart. This is why we created the Public Health Impact Academy (PHIA), which provides training that centers equity, cultural responsiveness, and real-world strategies for improving community health outcomes.

📚 Ready to deepen your impact? Join a PHIA course and sharpen your cultural competency skills. Visit www.beaconpublichealth.com/phia to register. Let’s build a future where all communities are seen, respected, and supported—because culture isn't a barrier to health, it's the bridge.

Explore our educational resources, training opportunities, and community campaigns at www.beaconpublichealth.com, and follow us on social media to join the conversation.

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About the author: Dr. Jovonni Spinner, CEO and Founder of Beacon Public Health and Maryland Healthcare Commissioner is an award-winning health equity strategist, thought leader, and TEDx speaker dedicated to advancing health equity across all stages of life through research, education, and community building.

References

Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong, O. (2003). Defining cultural competence: a practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Public Health Reports, 118(4), 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1093/phr/118.4.293
Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117–125.
Lie, D., Carter-Pokras, O., Braun, B., & Coleman, C. (2012). What do health literacy and cultural competence have in common? Calling for a collaborative health professional pedagogy. Journal of Health Communication, 17(Suppl 3), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2012.712625
Spinner, J., Haynes, E., Araojo, R., & FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. (2021). Enhancing FDA’s Reach to Minorities and Under-Represented Groups Through Training: Developing Culturally Competent Health Education Materials. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501327211003688