HCN Global is expanding its Leadership for a Culture of Health webinar series through a new partnership with the Society for Health Communication (SHC), aiming to address structural barriers in preventive care and maternal health. The second series, announced on August 21, 2026, will convene health communicators, community leaders, and advocates to explore practical ways communications 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 affecting Latino and Black communities. Series Two builds on the first installment, which focused on structural racism and its health impacts, by turning to two additional areas where systemic barriers drive inequitable outcomes: access to preventive care and maternal and reproductive health. The series will also examine the effects of chronic stress and systemic barriers on mental health 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.”
Hosted by SHC in partnership with HCN Global, the two webinars pair expert perspectives with practical frameworks and real-world examples. Both sessions are free and open to health communicators, community leaders, health workers, and advocates. The first session, “Preventive Care & Healthcare Navigation,” is scheduled for August 28, 2026, and will examine how factors like health coverage, language access, transportation, and immigration-related concerns affect access to preventive care. Participants will explore ways to reduce barriers and improve navigation. Registration is available at Zoom Webinar Registration.
The second session, “Maternal & Reproductive Health,” is planned for November 2026 and will focus on disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly among Black and Latina mothers and infants. Speakers and registration details will be announced closer to the session. This session will examine communications and systems-level approaches that support healthier outcomes.
The partnership leverages HCN Global’s experience in culturally grounded health communications and SHC’s national network of professionals. Together, they will extend the series’ reach through networks like La Red Hispana, Melanin Thriving, and LatinEQUIS. 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 with resources for continued learning, including LatinEQUIS, Melanin Thriving, and Spanish-language resources at La Red Hispana. These resources aim to help community leaders continue the work beyond the live sessions.
