Assignment Task:
To recognize bias and stereotypes in the community, the public health nurse can identify populations with health disparities and review the public resources available to them. Many times, implicit and explicit biases within the community lead to health disparities. Implicit biases are subconscious attitudes and beliefs about a person or a group's ethnicity, age, ability, gender, or other qualities. On the other hand, explicit bias accounts for overtly racist, sexist, and homophobic views and is frequently related to obvious discriminatory actions and attitudes (Sabin, 2022). In healthcare, culturally competent care is a highly effective tool that can be used to reduce health disparities. Some ways we can implement culturally competent care in the community are by building diverse healthcare teams, providing appropriate cultural and linguistic services, and being respectful and understanding of each person's choices and beliefs (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 2021). For example, where I live, we have a large population of Native Americans, and Latinxs, who happen to have a high level of health disparities, so it is important to be aware of their cultural and spiritual needs.
To reduce cultural dissonance and bias, health care workers must start by becoming self-aware. This can be accomplished by reflecting on biased behaviors we see or engage in, or by using resources meant to increase awareness of personal biases (e.g., Harvard Implicit Association Tests). Additionally, HCPs can reduce biases in healthcare by role modelling cultural sensitivity, taking active-bystander training to learn how to address microaggressions and other harmful events, attending training intended to eliminate negative patient descriptions and stigmatizing words in medical records and direct patient communications. At the organizational level, skills training can include comprehensive, interactive, skill-building education in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that encompasses implicit-bias recognition and management for all workers and trainees (Sabin, 2022).