Page 123 - Cultural Competence in Health Education

A Spiritually Grounded and Culturally Responsive Approach 101

■ Research supports a definition of spirituality as something different from but often

connected with religion and integrally tied to culture.

■ Spiritually grounded, culturally responsive education and practice for health
requires stepping beyond the biomedical model, leading by example from one ’ s
own cultural or spiritual history and current positionality, and connecting with
participants through multiple ways of knowing.

CASE STUDY
You have contracted with a large, for - profit health care system to enhance the health

and wellness of residents in six subsidized - housing high - rises located in both urban and
suburban communities and all within a ten - mile radius. Approximately 65 percent of
the group members are white and speak only English. Another 20 percent are African
American. The remainder are immigrants from various Asian countries, Mexico and
the Caribbean, the former Yugoslavia, and north Africa. Two - thirds of the residents are
elderly. The rest are primarily middle - aged adults who are physically disabled and
younger adults who are mentally or psychiatrically disabled. All are offi cially capable
of independent living and eligible for, if not enrolled in, government health insurance
programs. You are free to start by addressing the entire population, starting a test pro-
gram at one building, or proceeding in any way that you choose. How will you promote
health through education and clinical practice in a spiritually grounded and culturally
responsive manner?

KEY TERMS
Culturally responsive Spirituality
Education for health Spiritually grounded

REFERENCES
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Achterberg , J. , Dossey , B. , & Kolkmeier , L. ( 1994 ). Rituals of healing: Using imagery for health and wellness.
New York : Bantam .
Anderson , M. ( 2001 ). Sacred dying: Creating rituals for embracing the end of life. Roseville, CA : Prima .
Astrow , A. , Puchalski , C. , & Sulmasy , D. ( 2001 ). Religions, spirituality and health care: Social, ethical, and
practical considerations . American Journal of Medicine, 110 ( 4 ), 283 – 287 .
Baer , H. ( 2001 ). Biomedicine and alternative healing systems in America: Issues of class, race, ethnicity, & gen-
der. Madison : University of Wisconsin Press .
Bensen , H. ( 2003 , April). Relaxation response. Paper presented at the research conference “ Integrating Research
on Spirituality and Health and Well - Being into Service Delivery. ” Bethesda, MD.
Bugge , E. , & Higginson , I. J. ( 2006 ). Palliative care and the need for education: Do we know how to make a
difference? A limited systematic review . Health Education Journal, 65 ( 2 ), 101 – 125 .
Cervantes , J. , & Parham , T. ( 2005 ). Toward a meaningful spirituality for people of color: Lessons for the counseling
practitioner . Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 11 ( 1 ), 69 – 81 .

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