Communicate to Make a Difference:
Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication

"Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication" is a web-based course that invites learners to spend time thinking about and developing their own responses to a variety of ideas and situations about culture, communication and public health. Learners will explore the meaning of culture, methods of communication, and strategies for communicating more effectively by taking part in "virtual" group conferences, reading and responding to simulated e-mails, and utilizing resource documents.

The course is divided into three modules, designed to be completed in the order they are presented.

1. Culture

This module presents some basic but important concepts of culture through a virtual group seminar. In the first seminar, culture is defined and the reasons why people create cultural stereotypes is examined. A set of simulated e-mails introduces the learner to a situation that requires the application of both cultural sensitivity and sound communication techniques.

2. Communication

The second module defines health communication, describes the process of human communication and offers a number of good communication strategies.

3. Cross-Cultural Communication

By working through the final module, learners compile a list of effective cross-cultural communication strategies which help in resolving the communication situation presented in the first module.

Building on the format of the "Orientation to Public Health" course, "Communicate to Make a Difference" allows learners to interact with the course in meaningful ways. By providing thoughtful responses to questions posed in the course seminars, learners can explore their own cultural beliefs and biases.

Learning Outcome

As a result of this activity the learner will enhance their knowledge and competence in cultural beliefs, biases and development of effective cross-cultural communication strategies.

Objectives

After completing the course, the learner will be able to:

  • Define culture.
  • Identify the cultural groups you belong to.
  • Discuss why and how we create stereotypes.
  • Describe the importance of cultural competency in public health.
  • Give a definition of health communication.
  • Describe the process of communicating.
  • Discuss the complexity of human communication.
  • Describe methods of communication.

Continuing Education Credits

CNE Credits offered until March 23, 2025. CHES, CME, CPH, Other Credits offered until June 30, 2026.

Sponsored by the School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.5 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 1.5. Provider ID# 99086.

There is a $7.50 fee for this credit (debit/credit card only), payable at the end of the training.

The University at Albany School of Public Health is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This offering is approved for 1.5 nursing contact hours.

The nursing contact hour(s) expire: 3/23/2025.

There is a $7.50 fee for this credit (debit/credit card only), payable at the end of the training.

The School of Public Health, University at Albany is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The School of Public Health, University at Albany designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

There is a $7.50 fee for this credit (debit/credit card only), payable at the end of the training.

This event is sponsored by School of Public Health, University at Albany, an approved provider of CPH Renewal Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

This offering is approved for 2.0 Certified in Public Health Renewal Credits.

There is a $7.50 fee for this credit (debit/credit card only), payable at the end of the training.

Participants who successfully complete this educational program will be awarded 1.5 NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). The Rutgers School of Public Health Center for Public Health Workforce Development has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of New Jersey Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs).
To receive NJPH Credits for this course, please email your certificate of completion to Kendra Julien, kj446@sph.rutgers.edu.

1.5 hours of Generic Continuing Education Credits.

  • Training launched: September 1, 2004
  • Estimated time: 1.5 hours
  • Training is free and open to the public

The planners, moderator, and presenters do not have any financial arrangements or affiliations with any ineligible companies whose products, research, or services may be discussed in this activity.

No commercial funding has been accepted for this activity.