Social Determinants of Health

Discover that understanding the differences is what makes the difference.

The population in the United States is changing. According to the U.S. Census, the current minority population will increase from 37 percent of the population to 57 percent by 2060. This fact underscores the need for public health and health care professionals to study the relationship between race and social determinants of health.

In PBHL 6009 Social Determinants of Health in the U.S., you’ll learn the importance of the history and health beliefs of these rapidly growing minority groups and the significance of cultural competency.

In PBHL 6009 you’ll learn that many people don’t just classify themselves by race and/or ethnicity, and that to be culturally competent, you’ll need to know the other ways people classify themselves. Along with ethnic minority groups, you’ll discover the cultural differences of the disabled, the mentally ill and the differences between genders.

Weekly discussions with classmates and your professor enhance your learning experience with differing viewpoints, lively debates and an enlightened vision of cultural differences in health care.

What You’ll Learn in PBHL 6009

PBHL 6009 Social Determinants of Health in the U.S. addresses cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life span. In this course, you’ll examine cultural competency, including cultural nuances (the subtle differences between cultures) that could have a significant impact on the health-seeking behaviors of a minority group. You’ll learn key terms in cultural competence: racism, prejudice, discrimination, microaggressions, microassaults and several others.

You’ll also learn the importance of CLAS: Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services standards, which have been set up to help organizations measure their ability to meet the needs of culturally diverse groups.

Course Topics

Throughout this course, weekly topics may include but are not limited to:

• Introduction to Cultural Competence
• Health Professions and Understanding Cultural Concerns
• Cultural Competency and the Need to Eliminate Health Disparities
• Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards – An Overview
• Cultural Competence Assessment and Training
• Special Populations – The Disabled, the Mentally Ill and Gender
• Special Populations – LGBT, Veterans, Immigrants and the Elderly
• The Impact of Being Culturally Competent

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of PBHL 6009 Cultural Context of Health Care in the U.S., you will be able to:

• Apply culturally competent approaches to public health practice, research, policy development and health disparities.
• Analyze the causes and effects of cultural differences in health status, systems and solutions.
• Use the basic concepts and skills involved in culturally appropriate community engagement and empowerment with diverse communities.
• Apply models for assessing cultural competence.
• Develop strategies to reduce health disparities.

Request More Information

To learn more about the online Master of Public Health curriculum from Benedictine University, including Cultural Contest of Health Care in the U.S., call (866) 295-3104 to speak with a program manager or request more information.

Programs that include this course