Cultural competence in public health

Becoming culturally competent is a pressing priority for public health decision makers and decision making, if we are to ensure that strategies are delivered to maximize health equity and minimize health inequalities. Decision makers across government, nongovernment, and research sectors have commonly equated these considerations with increased need for resources. By contrast, the shift toward achieving cultural competence in public health practice is likely to reveal new ideas about intransigent factors contributing to health inequalities and innovative strategies for health promotion and public health. With increasing population diversity globally, cultural competence will become the hallmark of high-quality public health systems, programs, and research.