Discussion Board and Reply to Two Peers

Cultural competency is an important part of public health. In order to reach our target audience, or those who need health information, we must understand the population’s unique needs. This is especially true during a disease outbreak. After reviewing the Readings for Unit 8, answer the following questions:

1. Why is cultural competency important when addressing health problems within a specific population?
2. Why is it important to target specific populations with health information they relate to?
3. What are some ways to reach the target population using culturally and linguistically competent information?

You may use examples from the Unit 8 Readings. Be sure to include a list of credible references to support your response.

Chanelle Juhasz posted Feb 25, 2021 11:53 PM

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Good evening everyone!

1. Why is cultural competency important when addressing health problems within a specific population? Cultural competency is extremely important when dealing with such a diverse nation. According to the 2010 U.S Census Bureau report, about 35% of the U.S population are minorities. Cultural differences affects the community, beliefs, behaviors, and traditions. This becomes vital when understanding the language barriers you must tend to, the perception of risk, individual beliefs on the government and certain institutions, as well as acceptable forms of communication and rituals (Reynolds, 2014).
2. Why is it important to target specific populations with health information they relate to? When targeting specific communities and populations that directly involve them, they are more subject to be open to what is being discussed. The outcomes and medical procedures could directly be affiliated with their dominant traits and statistics. This will also raise awareness within the communities and how it could directly affect them.
3. What are some ways to reach the target population using culturally and linguistically competent information? Some of the ways to reach the target population is to understand what they respond to. The RESPOND tool is a great tool to utilize when utilizing culturally and linguistically competent information. The RESPOND tool stands for building rapport, explaining your purpose, identifying services, encouraging individuals to be proactive, offering assistance, negotiating, and determining the next steps (Public Health Emergency, 2020).

References:

Public Health Emergency. (2020). Cultural and Linguistic Competency in Disaster Preparedness and Response Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/abc/Pages/linguistic-facts.aspx

Reynolds, B., PhD. (2014). Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR)). Retrieved from https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/cerccorner/article_040417.asp \

Anthony Revillas posted Feb 24, 2021 11:24 PM
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Good afternoon everyone,
For
this week’s discussion topic, we are asked to answer questions about
the importance of cultural competency in public health. According to
Reynolds, B., PhD. (2014), “Cultural competency is defined as “the
ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and
effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic
backgrounds, sexual orientations, and faiths or religions in a manner
that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families,
tribes, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of
each.” Cultural and linguistic competency is important in a health
crisis because it helps determine the population’s needs and the
different cultures. It is important to target specific populations
because every culture handle crisis differently and the responders need
to be aware of these situations. These five elements help assist during
disaster preparedness to reach the targeted population using culturally
and linguistically: Awareness and acceptance of difference, Awareness of
one’s cultural values, Understanding and managing the dynamics of
difference, Development of cultural knowledge, and Ability to adapt
activities to fit different cultural contexts. The most element that
stood out the most to me that helped the population during a health
crisis would have to understand and manage the dynamics of difference.
According to Reynolds, B., PhD. (2014), “This refers to the various ways
cultures express and interpret information.” For medical responders,
this is critical when treating patients during a health crisis and
taking a medical history. In the element, responders use an acronym to
follow, which is RESPOND: Build Rapport, explain your purpose, identify
services, encourage people to be proactive, offer assistance,
negotiating needs, and determine what’s next. These are the steps needed
to assist during an emergency crisis while respecting all cultures and
their needs.
Thank you
Reference List:
Reynolds,
B., PhD. (2014). Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (United
States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public
Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR)). Retrieved from

Requirements: 200. replies 100 each