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HCN Global Expands Leadership for a Culture of Health Series

HCN Global is taking significant strides to enhance community health through its exciting new partnership with the Society for Health Communication (SHC). This collaboration is set to dynamically expand the Leadership for a Culture of Health initiative, specifically through a second series of webinars that focus on critical topics such as maternal health, preventive care, and community resilience.

This initiative aims to unlock discussions surrounding the structural hurdles that affect health outcomes, particularly preventive care and maternal health, by bringing together health communicators, community leaders, and advocates. The overarching goal is simple yet ambitious: empower these stakeholders to navigate and dismantle the barriers that undermine community health.

Expanding the Reach of Health Equity

Leadership for a Culture of Health, part of the broader Culture of Health / la Cultura de Salud initiative, initially launched to address social determinants impacting Latino and Black communities in the United States. The new series builds on its predecessor— earlier installments focused heavily on discussions about structural racism and its detrimental health effects. The shift in focus towards maternal health and preventive care aims to tackle systemic barriers that exacerbate inequities especially among Black and Latina populations.

Alison Rodden, CEO of HCN Global, emphasizes the importance of action: "The Culture of Health / la Cultura de Salud initiative is about translating awareness into action. This learning series is designed to equip community leaders and health communicators with essential tools and language to promote equitable solutions."

Upcoming Webinars

The upcoming webinars designed by SHC and HCN Global are free to all interested parties and focus on various aspects:

• - Preventive Care and Healthcare Navigation: Scheduled for August 28, 2026, this session will dive into how elements such as insurance coverage, language barriers, and various logistical worries impact access to preventive healthcare. Community leaders will learn strategies to help mitigate these barriers, creating a bridge to vital information and resources.
• - Maternal and Reproductive Health: Planned for November 2026, this session will delve into the disparities existing in maternal health outcomes, focusing particularly on the issues faced by Black and Latina mothers. It will address communications and systemic strategies aimed at improving health outcomes for these vulnerable populations as well.

Amplifying Impact Through Partnerships

Beyond the webinars themselves, this partnership between HCN Global and SHC will harness the strengths of both organizations to reach wider networks, connecting participants with crucial resources for continuous learning and advocacy. Platforms like La Red Hispana, Melanin Thriving, and LatinEQUIS will extend the message far and wide. Sessions will also be recorded for on-demand viewing, ensuring that vital information remains accessible long after the live discussions have concluded.

Dana Chomenko, Executive Director of SHC, stated, "Preventive care and maternal health exemplify how structural barriers affect everyday health outcomes. This partnership equips our member communicators with effective, culturally relevant tools and frameworks that foster progress, rather than merely discussing the challenges."

HCN Global remains committed to sustaining the momentum with ongoing resources for community leaders, as detailed on dedicated web pages designed to facilitate the continuation of this essential work.

Conclusion

For over four decades, HCN Global has been devoted to fostering better health outcomes through culturally sensitive health communications. By building a robust network of organizations dedicated to the same cause, such as the Society for Health Communication, they are making significant strides toward addressing the determinants of health that affect underserved populations. This new series of webinars represents not just conversation but concrete steps towards action and community empowerment. Through engagement, awareness, and empowerment, HCN Global and its partners are making health equity a tangible goal in communities across the United States and beyond.