Qualitative Research Critique: Asthma Self-Management in Puerto Rican Families

It is important to research environmental risk factors that influence asthma in low income neighborhoods to find possible ways to prevent asthma. The study “Urban Asthma and the Neighborhood Environment in New York City” proves that there is a positive correlation between neighborhoods and asthma hospitalizations.2 Children in lower income neighborhoods are more likely to be hospitalized due to asthma. Those living in lower income neighborhoods also tend to be minorities, which implies that African Americans and Latinos are more susceptible to asthma.2 Moreover, minorities are more likely to be living in public housing. The study explains that 11% of all housing units in Harlem is broken down and not suitable for living which proves that there is a positive correlation between the population of minorities and living in run-down housing and asthma related hospitalization.2

R.J. is a 15-year-old boy with a history of asthma diagnosed at age 8. His asthma episodes are triggered by exposure to cats and various plant pollens. He has been using his albuterol inhaler 10 to 12 times per day over the last 3 days and is continuing to wheeze. He normally needs his inhaler only occasionally (2 or 3 times per week). He takes no other medications and has no other known medical conditions. Physical examination reveals moderate respiratory distress with a respiratory rate of 32, oximetry 90%, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) 60% of predicted, and expiratory wheezing.

The high incidence of asthma in the Indigenous population is likely caused by their social lifestyle and other determinants of health. The essay will first outline the aetiology and pathophysiology of asthma, then critically analyse the prevalence of asthma and associated health gaps between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. As a final point, the causes of the gap and prevalence of asthma in the Indigenous population will be addressed.

The United States have been growing the diverse population rapidly in different groups of people; however, increasing number of ethnic groups also struggle with new challenges such as health problems, economics, and educations. According the United States census report, there are approximately 54 million Hispanic lives in the United States, which makes about 17% population of total nation’s population. Hispanic is the largest growing ethnicity in the United States today; however, they are also exposed to the health disparities, economic and social status. This paper will discuss the Hispanic group culture, socioeconomic on their health, current health status, their health promotion, health disparities, and three levels of health prevention and effectiveness.

Iannotta, Joah G. Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, D.C.: National Academies, 2002. Print.

Since asthma exacerbations in adolescence can lead to emergency room visits, hospitalizations, missed school and diminished health status, there was an evident need for effective asthma management for this population (Quaranta et al., 2014). Unfortunately, these rural adolescents with asthma, and their families, had difficulty determining when their asthma was poorly controlled; and unless the asthma symptoms were disruptive to family life, there was often little motivation for these individuals to seek medical care, thus increasing the risk of poor outcomes (Quaranta et al., 2014, p. 99). According

When looking at the Hispanic/Latino ethnic groups some may think they are all from the same country because of their culture, and the fact that many speak Spanish. However, this is not the case, and when looking at the unique features associated with each ethnic group, it is easy to see the differences between them. All of the Latino/Hispanic ethnic groups have differences and this can even be heard in the dialect used to speak Spanish, such as the case when listening to Puerto Ricans and Mexicans speaking Spanish. In an effort to have a better understanding of elder Mexicans, this paper will look at the Mexican sub-culture, and the features associated with the family dynamics, gender roles, acculturation patters, as well as religious contemporary issues such as taking care of an elder family member. We will examine ways to engage, assess, discuss ways of intervention, and review ways to ensure that effective evaluations are completed.

I met the community outreach programmer Ms. Lisa and I discussed with her about an appropriate evidence-based practice. Ms. Lisa said that there is not education program in Taney County Health Department for asthmatic people. Thus, she asked me to find a successful evidence-based practice, which has been applied in the other Counties or States

The information cited in this paper provides an insight into the health disparities that exist in the Hispanic population. It shows that Hispanics have increased rates of health problems when compared to other racial groups in the United States. These disparities have been shown to be connected to socioeconomic status. The information cited in this paper show that Hispanics have lower socioeconomic status than whites and their low socioeconomic status is implicated as a risk factor for health status. Furthermore, Hispanics face increased barriers to accessing care, receive poorer quality care, and ultimately experience worse health outcomes. For example, Hispanics have higher morbidity rates for diabetes, obesity, cancer, asthma and proliferative

This results in Hispanics Americans living in very tightly-knit segregated urban communities, in older housing, and lack access to healthcare that can contribute to asthma exacerbation (Bhan et al., 2015). In the State of Connecticut there is a program called, Putting on AIRS or Asthma Indoor Risk Strategies. This program designed to assess environmental risk in the homes for asthmatic children and families. The hope is to reduce the frequency of asthma-related events by identifying environmental triggers. A public health nurse experienced in asthma management, conducts asthma education in the home. There is also an assessment for environmental asthma triggers in the home such as roach infestation or mold. The program follows participants over a six-month time frame, and has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for asthmatics (Nepaul et al.,

Diabetes in Hispanic Americans is a serious health challenge because of the increased prevalence of diabetes in this population, the greater number of risk factors for diabetes in Hispanics (Smith, 2010).” In the years of 2004-2006, about 11.9% of Hispanic American aged twenty (20) years or older are diagnosed with diabetes. About 75% of the Hispanic American trend to be overweight or obesity. When work with Hispanic American clients, you have to gain support from clients’ families to enhance their acceptability of the diet. Healthcare provider encourages pregnant Hispanic to eat low-fat cheeses, lean red meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables. “Gender differentiation and male dominance are issues to consider while working with Hispanic households. The father is the leader of the family while the mother runs the home, shops and prepares the food (Smith,

Young Hispanic children experience multiple disparities in health status, insurance coverage, barriers to healthcare access and the quality of health care received. There have been multiple studies that have researched racial/ethnic disparities among adults, however few studies have examined the racial/ethnic disparities in the health care of children. The United States is experiencing a demographic surge in minority children, particularly among the youngest age groups. "Estimates indicate that, by 2030, there will be more minority children than non-Hispanic white children" (Flores, Olson & Korman, 2004, p. 192). This alarming statistic has caused a national concern. This paper will discuss the

The United States is a melting pot of racial and ethnic cultures, whose health status, amongst minority groups varies due to the influence of socioeconomic status and educational background. This falls true within the Hispanic community where it is important to receive culturally competent care among the diverse populations to help increase health promotion and gain a cultural perspective on the promotion of health within the culture. There are complex and connected causes of the health disparities within the Hispanic community that are all contributing factors to the current health status. Health Status The Hispanic population, and especially in the number of Hispanic youth is rapidly growing.

3. Corona, R., Gonzalez, T., Cohen, et al. “Richmond Latino Needs Assessment: A Community-University Partnership to Identify Health Concerns and Service Needs for Latino Youth”. J Community Health. 34.(2009): 195-201.

Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group and there are estimated to be about 54 million living in the United States (Office of Minority Health & Health Equity, YEAR). The Hispanics are a minority group that struggle every day to survive, to provide for their families, to stay healthy and to live quality lives. This paper will discuss the Hispanics current health status, how health promotion is defined by the Hispanics and what health disparities exist for the Hispanics. Lastly, this paper will discuss the three levels of health prevention and their effectiveness given the unique