Multicultural Competency in Wellness

Multicultural Wellness Wheel

Multicultural Wellness Wheel

The Multicultural Wellness Wheel is designed to support wellness practitioners and related stakeholders in broadening their outlook as it relates to the concepts of wellness and well-being, and to support the recognition of the interlocking systems displayed within the wheel. This concept map addresses applied multicultural competency and the needs and goals of individuals, families, and workplaces. It also provides a guide for the development of well communities and civic infrastructures.

The Multicultural Wellness Wheel focuses on three pillars for optimal and lifelong well-being:

  • Personal & Family Wellness
  • Community Wellness
  • Worksite Wellness

Personal & Family Wellness 

Integral Wellness

  • NWI’s Six Dimensions of Wellness
  • Healthy daily habits—self-efficacy

Integrative Medicine

  • Integral healing—oriented medicine
  • Conventional medicine
  • Alternative medicine

MIND – BODY – SPIRIT

Community Wellness 

Supporting underserved communities and minimizing healthcare disparities via the following approaches:

Upstream: Policies, incentives & regulations
Midstream: Collaborations, resources and skills
Downstream: Grassroots initiatives

Worksite Wellness 

Worksite Diversity Initiatives

  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Value-driven organizational culture

Work/life Balance Components

  • Awareness of the importance of a balanced life
  • Time & energy management
  • Tools to help prioritize

How Can Wellness and Healthcare Practitioners Develop and Apply Multicultural Competency?

By becoming aware of one’s own personal assumptions about human behavior, values, bias, stereotypes, and personal limitations. Practitioners learn who they are as “cultural beings” and how cultural socialization has shaped their worldview and their ability to work effectively with culturally diverse populations.

A culturally skilled practitioner is one who actively attempts to understand the worldview of their culturally different clients without negative judgments, and shows respect and appreciation for human differences.

A culturally skilled practitioner is mindful of actively developing and practicing culturally appropriate intervention strategies and working appropriately within diverse communities.

Serves as a Tool for Sustained Engagement…

The Multicultural Wellness Wheel serves as a tool for sustained engagement and personal reflection, supports dialogue and discussions, and assists practitioners with individual, family, workplace, and community wellness initiatives related to their unique communities of practice.

The wheel fosters the building of healthy relationships across cultural differences within diverse communities of practice.

Download Your Copy of the Organizational Wellness Inventory PDF


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