pop health and cultural journal 1

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School

Southern New Hampshire University *

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Course

410

Subject

Health Science

Date

May 21, 2024

Type

docx

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Uploaded by AgentBaboon338

Lisa Cruz IHP 410 Pop Health & Cultural Comp Journal 1: Culture All healthcare professionals must grasp the significance of cultural competence. According to the American Hospital Association, this term refers to 'the ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including the tailoring of health care delivery to meet patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs' (AHA, 2013). Understanding and practicing cultural competence is not just a recommendation but a necessity in today's diverse healthcare landscape. I am a Hispanic female; my nationality is Puerto Rican. However, I was born and raised in America, so I know only American culture. I researched what healthcare professionals should understand about Puerto Rican culture. According to The National Library of Medicine, “Hispanics are the largest minority group in the US at 18% of the population, of which Puerto Ricans are the second largest subgroup. Puerto Ricans have poorer health status than other US Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations. Thus, health care providers need to know about and distinguish the health care problems of Puerto Ricans to improve their health”. Due to poorer financial status, physicians need to be aware that most Puerto Ricans coming to them for care are coming with chronic illnesses that have not been appropriately treated, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Hispanics are very stubborn and cheap. So, believe me when I say we will try to care for whatever illness we acquire before seeking a physician. My grandmother, for instance, is very stubborn and a vast penny pincher. She does not believe in going to the doctor and giving them our hard-earned money. In the Hispanic culture, many older women, like my grandmother, have a saying, “Ponte Vicks,”

which means put on Vicks. They believe Vicks cures everything and doctors make you sicker. This is a big reason why when Hispanics decide to visit a physician, they are coming with chronic illnesses that have not been appropriately treated. They need to understand that these individuals have strong personalities, and things need to be explained sternly, keeping it real and raw for them to agree to pay for medication or treatment. Physicians should also be familiar with folk healing, such as curanderismo, traditional healers, and natural healing alternatives. Due to their poorer financial status, this is another way that Hispanics try to care for their illnesses. Physicians should learn about these alternatives and be able to discuss whether they will help their illness or if other treatments should be considered. Understanding and respecting patient religion in healthcare allows physicians to build trust and relationships with their patients. Cultural respect is critical to reducing health disparities. As a Catholic, my religion has a considerable influence on my views on contraception and end-of-life care. My physician would need to know that the Catholic faith does not support the use of contraceptives. End-of-life care for a Catholic should be free of pain, as comfortable as possible, and dignified. Obesity is increasing in Hispanic culture. In Puerto Rican culture, people eat rice and meat from cows and pigs daily. We season our food with two handfuls of spices: salt, pepper, garlic, adobo, onion powder, garlic powder, sazon, cilantro, and sofrito. Healthcare providers should know that dietary restrictions do not exist in Hispanic culture, and this is why obesity will continue to increase. As I said, people in the Hispanic culture are very stubborn; adjusting to a restricted diet is possible, but it will take time to convince and adapt to.

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