Public Health Ask an Expert: How Can Providers Develop More Culturally Competent Care? By Verywell Health Editors Updated on August 13, 2023 Fact checked by Heather Mercer Print Verywell/ Julie Bang. This article is part of our series looking at how Black Americans navigate the healthcare system. According to our exclusive survey, 1 in 3 Black Americans report having experienced racism while seeking medical care. In a roundtable discussion, our Medical Expert Board called for better representation among providers to help solve this widespread problem. Verywell Health: How, if at all, has COVID-19 further highlighted the need to develop more culturally competent care? Dr. Ali: COVID shone a light on already-existing disparities in health care when it comes to equal access to high-quality care for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic class, race, ethnicity, or cultural background. It also highlighted disparities in medical risk factors–such as who is at high risk of severe disease. Minority-Led Health Care Company Fills the Gaps in Senior Health Care Verywell Health: What research would help provide better heart-health care for Black patients? Dr. Ali: More research is needed on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, formerly known as diastolic heart failure) in everyone, and particularly in Black women. More consideration of race and ethnicity is needed in valvular heart disease research as well. Much has been done in the areas of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke, and continuing this research, particularly as the field of cardiogenomics begins to open up, will be important. Verywell Health: What is your advice to a patient who doesn't feel like their medical care meets their individual needs? Dr. Ali: Find another healthcare system and/or healthcare professional with whom you feel rapport and who is in tune with your individual needs. Your needs are important. It may take some time, but it is worth it to find that right fit. Doctors Call for Systemic Reform to Improve Black Health Experience 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Andraska EA, Alabi O, Dorsey C, et al. Health care disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seminars in Vascular Surgery. 2021;34(3):82-88. doi:10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2021.08.002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19: People with certain medical conditions. Graham G. Disparities in cardiovascular disease risk in the United States. Current Cardiology Reviews. 11(3):238-245. doi:10.2174/1573403X11666141122220003 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit