Cultural Competence

What Is Cultural Competence?

Cultural competence means being able to work well with people from different cultures. This includes how we think and act—both as individuals and as organizations.

A culture is made up of things like language, beliefs, customs, values, religion, and ways of doing things. Different racial, ethnic, or religious groups may have their own cultures.

Being competent means you know how to do something well. So, cultural competence means you know how to understand, respect, and work with people who are different from you.

Why Is Cultural Competence Important in Healthcare?

Cultural competence is important in healthcare because it helps make sure everyone gets the same high-quality care—no matter what culture they come from.

It helps stop unfair treatment or discrimination toward certain groups. It also helps patients and healthcare workers understand each other better, even if they come from different backgrounds.

When healthcare providers are culturally competent, patients feel more respected, safe, and understood. That leads to better care and better health outcomes.

Did You Know?

A person’s culture and language can affect:

• What they believe about health and healing
• How they understand sickness and what causes it
• How they feel about doctors, nurses, and other providers
• What kind of treatments they think are right or wrong

Cultural competence helps break down these barriers so patients and providers can work together toward better health.

Updated: May 19, 2025