Cultural Humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby we not only learn about other cultures but examine our own beliefs and cultural identity. Beyond self-awareness, cultural humility requires that we probe our assumptions, biases, and values considering our own backgrounds and social environments and how they continue to shape our experiences, reactions, and responses. This pertains to health equity because culture affects how health care information is received, how rights are exercised, what is considered a health problem, how symptoms and concerns are expressed, who should provide treatment, and what type of treatment should be given. In other words, cultural issues are central to the equitable delivery of health services and cultural humility is key to eliminating bias in our health systems. |
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