This live event takes place Friday, December 11, 6 pm-7 pm EST (3 pm-4 pm PST).
The course examines how structural racism, historical policies, institutional practices, social determinants of health, cultural narratives, and health care systems contribute to inequities in access, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, crisis response, and outcomes for people of color. Learners will explore evidence-informed approaches for providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equitable behavioral health care, with practical strategies that clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and community partners can use to reduce disparities and improve care for diverse populations.
This live webinar is designed for behavioral health professionals, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and related healthcare professionals seeking continuing education credits while strengthening their understanding of racial disparities in behavioral health care.
The purpose of this course is to enhance learners' knowledge of the historical and systemic factors contributing to racial disparities in behavioral health care and strengthen their ability to implement culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-informed strategies that reduce inequities and improve behavioral health outcomes for diverse populations.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Analyze the role of structural racism in shaping behavioral health care systems, policies, and patient outcomes.
- Evaluate the impact of historical policies and practices on present-day behavioral health disparities.
- Assess contemporary disparities in behavioral health access, treatment, and outcomes across diverse populations.
- Examine the influence of social determinants of health, institutional policies, and systemic barriers on behavioral health outcomes.
- Develop strategies to promote equity, culturally responsive care, and improved behavioral health outcomes in behavioral health settings.
Oliver J. Johnson, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, earned a PhD in Social Work from the Whitney M. Young School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. He retired as a tenured professor from Fayetteville State University after more than 20 years of service and has lectured extensively on issues related to health, wellness, trauma, and behavioral health among African American families. Dr. Johnson currently provides clinical supervision, consultation, and behavioral health services in North Carolina while also leading educational initiatives through Soft Ponds, LLC.
Contributing faculty, Oliver J. Johnson, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
Alice Yick Flanagan, PhD, MSW
Shirley Aycock, DNP, RN
The division planners have disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
Sarah Campbell
The Director of Development and Academic Affairs has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
The purpose of NetCE is to provide challenging curricula to assist healthcare professionals to raise their levels of expertise while fulfilling their continuing education requirements, thereby improving the quality of healthcare.
Our contributing faculty members have taken care to ensure that the information and recommendations are accurate and compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication. The publisher disclaims any liability, loss or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents. Participants are cautioned about the potential risk of using limited knowledge when integrating new techniques into practice.
It is the policy of NetCE not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.
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The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern, as there is some evidence that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, professionals' attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. This may produce differences in help-seeking, diagnoses, and ultimately treatments and interventions. Implicit biases may also unwittingly produce professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that reduce patients' trust and comfort with their provider, leading to earlier termination of visits and/or reduced adherence and follow-up. Disadvantaged groups are marginalized in the healthcare system and vulnerable on multiple levels; health professionals' implicit biases can further exacerbate these existing disadvantages.
Interventions or strategies designed to reduce implicit bias may be categorized as change-based or control-based. Change-based interventions focus on reducing or changing cognitive associations underlying implicit biases. These interventions might include challenging stereotypes. Conversely, control-based interventions involve reducing the effects of the implicit bias on the individual's behaviors. These strategies include increasing awareness of biased thoughts and responses. The two types of interventions are not mutually exclusive and may be used synergistically.
#9741L: Structural Racism in Behavioral Health: History to Today
Racial disparities in behavioral health care remain a significant challenge, affecting access to services, quality of treatment, and outcomes for individuals and communities of color. These inequities are rooted in complex and interconnected factors, including structural racism, historical policies, institutional practices, social determinants of health, and persistent systemic barriers. Behavioral health professionals play an important role in recognizing how these factors influence clinical encounters, assessment, diagnosis, treatment decisions, and crisis response. This course examines the historical and contemporary drivers of racial inequities in behavioral health care and explores evidence-informed strategies for promoting culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equitable practices. Through increased awareness and practical approaches, learners will be better equipped to address disparities and support improved behavioral health outcomes across diverse populations.
The slides from this webinar are available here.
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2. Braveman P, Arkin E, Proctor D, Kauh T, Holm N. Systemic and structural racism: definitions, examples, health damages, and approaches to dismantling. Health Aff (Millwood). 2022;41(2):171-178.
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6. Kisa A. Structural racism as a fundamental cause of health inequities: a scoping review. Int J Equity Health. 2025;24:244.
Mention of commercial products does not indicate endorsement.