HCN Global is expanding its Leadership for a Culture of Health webinar series through a new partnership with the Society for Health Communication (SHC), focusing on structural barriers to preventive care and maternal health. This second installment builds on the initial series, which addressed structural racism's impact on health, and now turns to two critical areas where systemic inequities persist.
The series, part of HCN Global's broader Culture of Health / la Cultura de Salud initiative, will bring together health communicators, community leaders, and advocates to explore practical ways communications can help communities navigate barriers and advocate for change. The first webinar, scheduled for August 28, 2026, will examine how factors like health coverage, language access, transportation, and immigration-related concerns affect access to preventive care. Participants will learn strategies to reduce these barriers and improve healthcare navigation. Registration is available at Zoom webinar registration.
The second webinar, planned for November 2026, will address disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly among Black and Latina mothers and infants. It will explore communications and systems-level approaches to support healthier outcomes. Details on speakers and registration will be announced closer to the session.
Alison Rodden, CEO of HCN Global, emphasized the initiative's action-oriented approach: "Culture of Health / la Cultura de Salud has always been about turning awareness into action, and this next peer-to-peer learning series does that. Community leaders and health communicators are on the front lines of these conversations promoting equitable solutions every day. Our job is to make sure they have the tools, the language, and confidence to meet the moment."
Dana Chomenko, Executive Director of SHC, highlighted the role of health communicators: "Preventive care and maternal health are two of the clearest examples of how structural barriers show up in everyday outcomes — and health communicators have a real role to play in closing those gaps. This partnership with HCN Global gives our members culturally grounded examples and tools they can use, not just another conversation about the problem."
The partnership extends beyond the webinars, leveraging SHC's professional network and HCN Global's community networks, including La Red Hispana, Melanin Thriving, and LatinEQUIS. Both sessions will be recorded and available on demand. HCN Global also maintains resource hubs for continued learning: for Latino and Black audiences, visit LatinEQUIS and Melanin Thriving. Spanish-language resources are available at La Red Hispana.
This initiative underscores the importance of addressing social determinants of health and empowering communities through culturally competent communication. By focusing on actionable strategies, the series aims to reduce health inequities and improve outcomes for marginalized populations.
