Health disparities, and other disparities which set racial and ethnic minority populations apart from the mainstream, are due, at least in part, to problems experienced in accessing and effectively utilizing health and human services. Additional, research is needed to better understand these relationships and to acquire new insights into eliminating the disparities and developing new ways to apply our existing knowledge to this goal. Improving access to quality services will require working with communities to identify culturally sensitive implementation strategies. Understanding culture helps service providers avoid stereotypes and biases that can undermine their efforts. It promotes a focus on the positive characteristics of a particular group, and reflects an appreciation of cultural differences.
Culture plays a complex role in the development of health and human service delivery programs.
Approaches that build on the strengths of minority communities and understand and respect minority cultures result in interventions which can lead to healthy practices and behaviors. It is important for direct service providers to acknowledge the significance of culture in people's problems as well as their solutions. Although there is some research to suggest that the optimal situation is one in which there is similarity between the service recipient and worker, such matches are a rare luxury. It would not be feasible for the social worker to try to memorize cultural traits while trying to become familiar with these families. Subgroups and individuals within particular groups are quite diverse.