Course Information

Course Description

This self-study course explores the multi-faceted impact health disparities have on the medical speech-language pathologist (SLP). The speakers show how health disparities impact various patient populations, as well as how these challenges impact clinical care and intervention, and eventually patient outcomes. The course explores cultural competence and the importance of cultural humility. The session concludes with strategies SLPs can use to build cultural responsiveness for the patients they serve. This course meets ASHA  continuing education requirement for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 


Learning Objectives

  • Identify health disparities that may impact patients from culturally diverse populations
  • Define the concept of social determinants of health
  • Examine how health disparities influence the medical SLP’s clinical practice
  • Describe important aspects of cultural humility
  • List strategies for building cultural responsiveness


Time Ordered Agenda

  • 00:00: Welcome, Introduction, Course Outline
  • 00:-05:  A Diverse Population: Changing Population Demographics, The Importance of Diversity
  • 00:11: Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities
  • 00:23: General Health and Health Care Disparities
  • 00:33: Impact of Health Disparities in SLP Practice 
  • 00:43: Building Culturally Responsive Care: Continuum of Cultural Competence, Cultural Humility
  • 00:53: Guidance and Resources for Implementing Cultural Responsive Care into Practice 
  • 01:03: Summary and Conclusion
  • 01:08: Required Reading: Morris MA. Striving Toward Equity in Health Care for People With Communication Disabilities. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2022 Jul 18:1-10. doi: 10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00057
  • 02:00: Complete Post-Test


Webinar Notice

Successful participation in this course includes completion of the post-test with a score of 80% or higher, then participants will automatically receive a course completion certificate.  You will have access to the course for 365 days after registration.

This course is offered for 2.0 Professional Development Hours. We can report your participation to ASHA if you choose for 0.2 ASHA CEUs, just be sure to include your ASHA number when you register. If you do not want your participation reported to ASHA, you have the option to decline on the course registration page.

Refund Policy

No refunds for self-study courses.


If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 877-390-1887.

Register now!

Instructor(s)

Assistant Professor Leslie Johnson, Ph.D. CCC-SLP

Leslie W. Johnson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at North Carolina Central University. Her research interest is in medical speech-language pathology, specifically related to adult neurogenics and the influences of cultural background. She has done research and clinical work with a variety of populations, including individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke, dysphagia, artificial airway, and head and neck cancer. Dr. Johnson has the following financial relationships to disclose: she receives a salary from North Carolina Central University, as well as payment for this course from Patheous Health. She has no non-financial relationships to disclose.

Associate Professor and Graduate Studies Coordinator Kellyn Hall, Ph.D. CCC-SLP

Kellyn Hall, Ph.D. CCC/SLP is a clinician, researcher, and author with over 30 years’ experience working in a variety of medical settings. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at North Carolina Central University where she teaches medical speech-language pathology courses. Her recent published works have focused on culturally responsive practices in dysphagia management. Her goal is work more effectively and collectively toward racial, social and health equity in our field. Disclosures: Dr. Hall has the following financial disclosures: She receives salary from North Carolina Central University and compensation from Patheous Health for webinar content. Dr. Hall has these non-financial relationships to disclose: She is the ASHA NC StAMP representative and NCSHLA President-elect.