Why is cultural competence such an integral part of WIPHL?
First, let’s define culture. One definition of culture is that it is the invisible filter–including one’s past experience, racial and ethnic background, gender, age, socioeconomic status, employment, and other demographic attributes–through which individuals interpret all experience. So why is culture so important to WIPHL? Because our requests that patients complete brief screens, see health educators, and discuss their personal health habits come to each patient through that filter of their culture. Individuals of various cultures may have different views about the appropriateness of discussing certain topics with certain individuals. Individuals of various backgrounds may understandably have more or less trust of certain professionals and institutions. In different cultures, people may attach different meanings and importance to drinking or drug use. For example, some cultures view all drinking or drug use as evil, while other cultures regard certain kinds of drinking or drug use
