Cultural_Diversities

The African American/Blacks are of African descent and have a diverse population in itself. This includes immigrants from Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Haitian. Most African Americans are Baptist according to a National Survey of Black Americans and there are at least 40 religious beliefs (Baily, 2004). The language spoken in this culture is English, although in some groups of this culture Spanish, Arabic, and Creole is used to communicate with each other. The physical size of this group varies as much as the geographical area they originated from. There are 1.8 million more black women than men according to Linsey Davis in an interview on abc Nightline. Physical problems most common in this culture are hypertension, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and there is a higher death rate for cancer and the progression of breast and prostate cancer is more rapid than white Americans (BMC, 2005). In adult African Americans, “depression, anxiety, and phobia are common. Certain studies suggest higher rates of functional enuresis, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and symptoms of conduct disorder and depression in the youth of African Americans” (Thompson, 2001). Most African Americans are on the Democratic side of politics (Deshay, 2010). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the most common occupation for African Americans is in Educational services, Health Care, and Social Services. Although many African Americans migrated North in the nineteenth century, today most live in the southern states of the U.S (Unknown, 2011). First the family, the African American family structure usually consists of Grandparents, mother, aunts and uncles, and children. The Grandmother is usually in charge of the family as the parents often take their children to her for discipline and advice and guidance for themselves. The African American food cooked in the United States is called Soul Food which usually consists of the fat parts of the pork, collard, turnip, mustard greens, and corn bread. These foods mentioned, may be the leading cause in many heart diseases, diabetes etc. Music is very important for African Americans as it has always been a form of expression. Some elderly people in this culture use folk/home remedies, look to lay healers, and prayer before they seek out help from a physician. They may believe that an illness is the will of God for improper behavior, natural causes, or a bad diet. There is a significant mistrust or fear of medical care in this culture because of notable historical injustices such as the Tuskegee experiment (Baily, 2004). Individuals of Hispanic origin make up the largest ethnic/minority group in the United States migrating from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and South or Central America (CDC, 2012). Most of the Hispanic culture is of Catholic religion but the Protestant Christian faith is becoming just as common (Valencia, 2004). The language of this ethnic group is mainly Spanish although learning English to adapt to their environment in the U.S. is important. U.S. born Hispanics are more fluent in English than those who migrated here. The physical sizes of the people of this culture vary as with any individual from other cultures but the most common physically, they are obese, short or of average height compared to non-Hispanic whites and African Americans (CDC, 2012). The ratio of males to females is 105.9 males per 100 females (OMH, 2012). “The CDC has cited some of the leading causes of illness and deaths among Hispanics are Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, and Type2 Diabetes. Other health conditions that significantly affect Hispanics are asthma, COPD, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and liver disease” (OMH, 2012). Mental health issues common in this group is emotional distress. Although Hispanics have a lower rate of mental health problems than non-Hispanic whites, there are factors that put them at risk for major depression. Studies show the longer they live in the U.S., the higher the rates are for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and drug abuse or dependence. U.S. born Hispanic youths have a higher rate of suicidal behavior, conduct problems, and drug use that non-Hispanic whites and African Americans (NIH, 2002). According to USA Today, most Hispanics lean more towards the Democratic political party. The socio-economic status of this culture is relatively poor, although they are better off than the African Americans living in the United States. They mostly live in the South Western states in inner cities and lack education. This adds to the barrier they have in obtaining anything other than low-skilled, low paying jobs so they tend to work in the service occupation positions (NIH, 2002). All Hispanic cultures value family life regardless if the family is small or extended. The Hispanic family is close-knit and ties are very strong and are viewed as the primary source of support emotionally and financially. In most families, the father/male is the head of the house. This culture is well known for machismo, familismo, marianismo, and peronalismo (Valencia, 2004). Folk medicine has a long-standing place in Hispanic-American culture, and is especially common among first-generation Hispanics. Holistic healers are used widely throughout Hispanic-American culture, without regard to socioeconomic status, and are sought for social, physical, and psychological purposes. Treatments by curanderos and santeros include massages, herbs, counseling based on their spiritual capacities, and cleanings that are performed as baths with a particular mix of plants. They may also prescribe herbs, ointments, and lighting of candles for saints, incense, and Florida water made from plants (BMC, 2005). Because of barriers such as language, mistrust, and lack of health coverage, most Hispanics wait until their illness or condition so critical before they seek medical care. There is a wide range of Hispanic celebrations: From the religious to the patriotic, and from the popular to the unique such as Quince Anos celebration, Cinco de Mayo, Christmas, and All Souls’ Day (Valencia, 2004). Asian Americans originate from China, Japan, Philippines, Korea, South Asia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. There are 18.2 million Asian Americans in the United States and according to the 2011 Census Bureau; the states most populated by people of Asian origin are California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, and Hawaii. Asian Americans speak English but there are some from different countries who are considered in the Asian culture, like Chinese and Japanese who speak their native tongue at home (OMH, 2012). Their religion for the most part is Catholic (Unknown, 2000), and lean more towards the Democratic view of politics (gallup). “Asians are more likely to work in management and professional occupations (Ebenkamp, 2005) and some own their own businesses and the whole family work together. The physical sizes of the people in this culture are usually short and thin (Hays, 2011) and the male to female ratio is 93.5 males per 100 females (Unknown, 2000). More than a million Asian Americans live at or below the federal poverty level. Physical problems suffered within this culture vary as to the individual’s place of origin. Chinese woman are more likely to develop cancer in the lungs, breast, colon, stomach, and pancreas. Vietnamese American women have higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Cancer of the liver, colon stomach, and nasopharynx are common sites in Chinese and Vietnamese American men. Common diseases in individuals from Cambodia are tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and intestinal parasites (BMC, 2005). “Osteoporosis ins more common among women of Asian race than any other” they tend to have small skeletal frames and low calcium intake because most are lactose intolerant (OMH, 2012) Mental illness is usually unreported because of interdependence and duty between family members, so if or when they do finally seek psychiatric help they are severely ill. Chinese and Vietnam who are traditional, as in they haven’t changed or adapted to the American culture or for better words who are old school, believe suicide is an honorable way to save face and eliminate shame from the family. Trauma suffered by the immigrants of the Asian culture has an impact not only on them but their children who are U.S. born. They may express emotional suffering through physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches (Meyers, 2006). Asians have many customs, beliefs, and still practice some of those here in America like their traditional weddings, Chinese New Year; they are very family oriented and religious. Their family, life, and religion must be in harmony and they will do rituals to keep it balanced. This culture believes that they become ill because of an imbalance of the ying/yang. They use herbal medicines, coin rubbing, and cupping (Carteret, Asian Cultures, 2010). References Baily, E. (2004). Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology: Health and Illness in the World's Cultures. In E. Baily, Medical Anthropology and African American Health. Greenwood Publishing. Retrieved November 2012, from http://www.credoreference.com.proxy.harrison.edu:2048/entry/sprmedanth/african_americas BMC. (2005, October 30). Multicultural Patient Care. Retrieved from Baylor College of Medicine: http://www.bmc.edu/mpc/special-af Carteret, M. (2010). Asian Cultures. Retrieved from Dimensions of Culture: http://www.deminsionsofculture.com/2010/asian-health-beliefs-healing Carteret, M. (2011). Health Care for African Americans. Retrieved from Dimensions of Culture: http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2011/health-care-for-aafrican-american-patients CDC. (2012, October 11). Minority Health. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/population Chen, T. (2010). United States-Asian Relations. Encyclopedia of American Studies. Davis, L. (2009, December 22). abc nightline. Deshay, A. (2010). Blueprint of Black America. Retrieved from About Black Demographics: http://www.aboutblackdemographics.com Ebenkamp, B. (2005). Out of the Box. Brandweek, 14. Hays, J. (2011, February). Asisan Charactoristics. Retrieved from Facts and Details: http://factsanddetails.com/china Luquis, R. (1995). Acculturation and Asian American Health. Journal of Wellness Perspectives, 14-21. Meyers, L. (2006, February). Asian-American mental health. Retrieved from American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb06/health.aspx NHLBI. (2010). Asian American And Pacific Islander Gateway. Retrieved from Minority Populations Gateway: http://hp2010nhlbihin.net/minority/asn_frames NHLBI. (2011, June). Epidemiologic Research in Hispanic Populations. Retrieved from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops NIH. (2002). Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health: Summary of a Workshop. Washington: National Academies Press (US). OMH. (2012). The Office of Minority Health (OMH). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov Purnell, L. D. (2005). Guide to Culturally Competent Health Care. F.A. Davis Co. Thompson, T. (2001, August). Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity: A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, Maryland. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44251/ Uba, L. (1992). Cultural barriers to health care for southeast Asian refugees. Public Health Reports. Unknown. (2000). U.S. Census Bureau, Census Summary. Retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/population Unknown. (2011). The Black Population:2010. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Commerce: http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf Valencia, E. (2004). Latinos. Retrieved from In Encyclopedia of Women's Health: http://www.credoreference.com.proxy.harrison.edu:2048/entry/sprwh/latinos