Ask the right questions and look for answers 5. Pay attention to financial issues 6. This is a report for anyone interested in the relationship between health and culture in Minnesota. By taking the steps outlined in this report, we will become more culturally competent as health care providers, consumers, administrators, scholars, policy-makers, and citizens. The report is the work of a year long task force created by the Minnesota Public Health Association.
Every human being is a member of many cultures.
Culture influences an individual's health beliefs, practices, behaviors, and even the outcome of medical treatments. Because of this, health care providers must learn about culture. We must try to become culturally competent. Cultural competence in health care is defined in this report as the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, in a manner that affirms the worth and preserves the dignity of individuals, families, and communities. To be culturally competent, a provider should acknowledge culture's profound effect on health outcomes and should be willing to learn more about this powerful interaction.