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Cultural Competence and Health Education 63

promotion. A review of a health status profile prepared by the hospital reveals that

African American mortality rates from cardiovascular problems are three to four times
higher than the rates for the rest of the population. The data also reveal that behavior

modification could significantly decrease morbidity and mortality in this population
group. Chris has read about successful efforts to reach African Americans through
faith - based organizations and decides that given the hospital ’ s lack of rapport with the
members of this population group, this would be a good way to reach them. Discuss
the following questions:
1. What three cultural competence factors are presented in this case study? Discuss

these factors.
2. What additional information would be useful to Chris and his team as they em-
bark on this new initiative?
3. What particular issues do they need to be concerned about as they implement this
new initiative?

4. What are three steps that they could take to ensure that their health education
endeavor is successful? Discuss these steps.

KEY TERMS
Cultural awareness Cultural sensitivity
Cultural competence Multicultural training
Cultural diversity

REFERENCES
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American Association for Health Education . ( 1994 ). Cultural awareness and sensitivity: Guidelines for health
educators. Reston, VA : Author .
American Association for Health Education . ( 2006 ). Cultural competency in health education. Retrieved Febru-

ary 6, 2008, from http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/pdf_files/CulturalCompetencyInHealthEd.pdf .
American Association for Health Education . ( 2007 ). Eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities (Fact Sheet).
Retrieved August 8, 2007, from http://www.aahperd.org/aahe .
Atkinson , D. R. , Thompson , C. E. , & Grant , S. K. ( 1993 ). Three - dimensional model for counseling racial/ethnic
minorities . The Counseling Psychologist, 21 ( 2 ), 257 – 277 .

Betancourt , J. R. , Green , A. R. , Carillo , 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, 293 – 302 .
Braithwaite , R. L. , & Taylor , S. E. (Eds.). ( 1992 ). Health issues in the black community. San Francisco :
Jossey - Bass .
Braithwaite , R. L. , & Taylor , S. E. (Eds.). ( 2001 ). Health issues in the black community ( 2nd ed. ). San Francisco :
Jossey - Bass .
Campinha - Bacote , J. ( 1999 ). A model and instrument for addressing cultural competence in health care . Journal
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