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Later this month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is launching the Improving Cultural Competency for Behavior Health Professionals e-learning program. The free online program for behavioral health professionals is designed to enhance knowledge and skill levels as it relates to culturally and linguistically appropriate services. The e-learning program will cover:
- The connection between culture and behavioral health
- The impact of cultural identity on interactions with clients
- Ways to engage, assess, and treat clients from diverse backgrounds
Behavioral health professionals can earn up to five continuing education hours upon the completion of the self-paced program, which is accredited for counselors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. The e-learning program will be available on the Think Cultural Health website. Other free accredited e-learning programs include:
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June is Men’s Health Month. This month is dedicated to helping men take necessary steps toward better health such as early detection and treatment of disease and injuries and preventative care.
On average, men have a shorter lifespan than women by about five years due to high rates for the top 10 leading causes of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Men’s Health Network encourages using the month of June to raise awareness through health fairs, health screenings, media appearances, and outreach events about the state of men’s health.
The week of June 10 is set aside as Men’s Health Week and is dedicated to scheduling events that will help raise awareness about the health challenges men face and the factors contributing to their shorter life expectancy. This period is also used to highlight the importance of having regular visits with health care professionals. As part of Men’s Health Week, Wear Blue Day will be celebrated on Friday, June 14, as an opportunity for organizations and individuals to help spread the word about the importance of disease prevention, early detection and pursuing treatment after a diagnosis.
Visit the Men's Health Month website to learn how you can join the efforts to raise awareness and promote the health of the men in your life.
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June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. This observance was established to recognize the need of millions of people who live with sickle cell disease worldwide. Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. Moreover, recent estimates find that 1 in 365 African Americans suffer from sickle cell disease.
A person living with sickle cell disease can live a healthy life or even see a reverse in the disease through medical procedures. OMH Sickle Cell Stories give individuals who are living their healthiest life with sickle cell, the chance to share their own testimonies of what it’s like to live with the disease and how it impacts everyday life. Find out more about the experiences of patients and advocates on the OMH Sickle Cell webpage.
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June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.1 million people in the U.S. are infected with HIV, but 1 out of 7 don’t know their positive status. This year’s theme is, Doing it My Way, acknowledging that there are various reasons that motivate people take an HIV test and various ways to be tested.
An HIV test can be the first step in reducing HIV transmission. When HIV status is known, a person can make decisions that will lead to their healthiest life possible.
Visit the CDC’s National HIV Testing Day web page to learn more about the observance and what you can do to help raise awareness.
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The OMH Knowledge Center online catalog provides many reports, books and articles that support health professionals in providing culturally competent behavioral health services. The catalog materials also can be useful for aides, researchers, reporters, grant writers, and nonprofits needing the latest scientific findings on racial and ethnic minority communities and health. Review a recent selection of materials in the online catalog here.
To find out more about how to use the Knowledge Center Online Library, watch this video.
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