HCN Global is expanding its Leadership for a Culture of Health webinar series with a second installment developed in partnership with the Society for Health Communication (SHC). The new series aims to bring health communicators, community leaders, health workers, and advocates together to examine structural barriers to preventive care and maternal health, and to explore practical communication strategies that can help communities navigate these barriers and advocate for change.
The initiative is part of HCN Global's broader Culture of Health / la Cultura de Salud program, which began as a multicultural, bilingual multimedia effort addressing social determinants of health in Latino and Black communities across the United States. The first series, launched earlier this year, focused on recognizing and addressing structural racism's impact on health. The new phase turns to two additional areas where systemic barriers continue to drive inequitable outcomes: access to preventive care and maternal and reproductive health. Across both topics, the series will also examine the effects of chronic stress and systemic barriers on mental health, well-being, and community resilience.
“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,” said Alison Rodden, CEO of HCN Global. “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.”
The two webinars, hosted by SHC in partnership with HCN Global, will combine expert perspectives with practical frameworks and real-world examples that participants can apply in their own organizations and communities. Both sessions are free and open to health communicators, community leaders, health workers, advocates, and others working with communities affected by health inequities.
The first webinar, “Preventive Care & Healthcare Navigation,” is scheduled for August 28, 2026. It will examine how factors such as health coverage, language access, transportation, and immigration-related concerns can affect access to preventive care. Participants will explore ways community leaders and health communicators can help reduce barriers, improve navigation, and connect people with trusted information and resources. Registration is available at this link.
The second webinar, “Maternal & Reproductive Health,” is scheduled for November 2026. It will explore disparities in maternal health outcomes, with particular attention to Black and Latina mothers and infants, and will examine communications and systems-level approaches that support healthier outcomes. Speakers and registration details will be announced closer to the session.
The partnership leverages HCN Global's experience in culturally grounded health communications and community engagement, combined with SHC's national network of health communication professionals. Through the collaboration, the series will be promoted across professional and community networks, including La Red Hispana, Melanin Thriving, and LatinEQUIS, while connecting participants with resources for continued learning and action beyond the live sessions. Both webinars will be recorded and made available on demand.
“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,” said Dana Chomenko, Executive Director of SHC. “This partnership with HCN Global gives our members culturally grounded examples and tools they can use, not just another conversation about the problem.”
HCN Global has dedicated webpages that continue to house resources for community leaders and organizers. Resources for Latino and Black audiences are available through LatinEQUIS at wearelatinequis.com/leadership-for-a-culture-of-health and Melanin Thriving at melaninthriving.com/leadership-for-culture-of-health. Additional Spanish-language resources can be found on La Red Hispana at laredhispana.org/liderazgo-para-una-cultura-de-salud/.
