African American women health disparities: Exploring the etilology and using cultural competence as a possible deterrent

Background:

African American women are more likely than white women to disproportionately suffer from disease and mortality. Cultural barriers contribute to this phenomenon, preventing African American women from seeking needed services and practicing preventive techniques. Indicators of socio-economic status, including low educational attainment, due to cultural differences, create health disparities affecting African American women.

Objective:

This oral presentation will focus on an interactive skills building course for exploration and explanation of the etiology of health disparities effecting African American women and examine how cultural competence of health care workers will aid in the elimination of health disparities affecting African American women.

Method:

The focal point is the influence culture has in the decision making process of African American women seeking medical advice, treatment and making lifestyle changes beneficial to their health. The importance of cultural competence of the health care worker working with African American women will be discussed.

Results:

The Cultural Competence skills building course has been presented in 3 states to representatives from 15 agencies. Quantitative cumulative evaluation data indicated 95% of participants said they planned to utilize the skills learned in this course to develop more culturally sensitive approaches to healthcare; and 80% strongly agreed that their awareness concerning cultural competence had increased due to the course.

Conclusions:

Culturally Competent health care workers are more successful treating and providing medical advice to African American women and, often serve a larger number of African American women; therefore, decreasing the health disparities between African American women and other women.