Health promotion in minority populations rosemond

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Health Promotion in Minority Populations
Rosemond Putieru
Grand Canyon University
March 31, 2022
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Health Promotion in Minority Populations.
The Asian Americans refers to the Americans who are majorly of Asian ancestry. The
population of this Asian community is quite diverse there is quite a large number of them who
range from about 22 million in terms of their population and vastness.
Most of them trace
their origins to over 20 countries in East and South Eastern Asia whereby they are associated
with different unique cultures, histories and various other features.
Looking into the health status of this group, there are quite a number of surrounding
issues that concern them. In accordance to the indications of the health report, Asian Americans
have quite a high prevalence of a number of health conditions that cause huge risks. These
include; HIV/AIDS, engagement in smoking, tuberculosis, liver disease, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and hepatitis B (Nia, Xiaoa, Liua, & Wangb, 2019). These diseases greatly
affect them and have a number of shortcomings to quite a number of people among the Asian
Americans.
Generally, race and ethnicity in the United States of America has a huge impact on health
to the various people it concerns. Minority groups on the basis of race and ethnicity go through a
higher rate of different diseases and death altogether in comparison to other residents of America
who do not belong to these small ethnic groups. The Asian Americans who are among these
ethnic groups experience a lot of ethnicity and discrimination which has a large impact to their
health.
Health care among this group of people is affected by racial discrimination through a
couple of ways. To begin with, ethnicity plays a huge impact in determining where these people
settle down. The place of settlement and its underlying conditions play quite a contegral role in
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determining their health status. This is in terms of hygienic conditions of the place, proneness to
different pests and diseases that could spark ailment, general risk factors and climatic conditions.
Most of these people tend to settle in such areas due to discrimination and segregation on the
basis of wealth hence proning them to ailments (Lee & Kye, 2016).Additionally, discrimination
on these group of people has been seen to cause other range of problems such as mental illnesses
which greatly affects the health and mental wellness of these people. Access to service provision
health wise is also difficult adding to the problems leading to poor health care among them.
There are various health disparities associated with Asian Americans. Studies reveal that
these group of people as compared to other ethnic communities are less likely to have a personal
doctor. Additionally, they are not likely to have their blood pressure levels monitored compared
to others. There are also general cases of poor quality health care amongst these people. They are
observed too undergo less prenatal health care in the first stages of pregnancy and also have a
higher infant mortality than whites. Moreover, they usually experience higher cases of illnesses
as compared to whites and other ethnic communities. For instance, cases of breast cancer among
women have increased tremendously over the years (Yi, Kwon, Sack2, & Chau, 2016). Judging
by the various underlying problems that face them, they highly contribute to the health
disparities.
There are various barriers that undermine good health standards among the Asian
Americans. These include culture that plays a big role in the beliefs of people and their medical
practices.Additionally.language barrier leads to occurrence of various diseases and incidences
that are not reported.Acces to health insurance is also poor and a large number of them lack.
Their immigrant position as well undermines access to health care.
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There are various health promotion activities that are practiced by this group in order to
counter the health challenges. Faith- based organizations such as The Racial and Ethnic
Approaches to Community Health for Asian Americans has been coming up with a multi-level
health promotion strategy that is also based on evidence that plays a huge role in fighting
hypertension. It stretches to communities such as Bangladeshi, Filipino, Korean, and Asian
which cuts through different denominations. Some of its strategies are; coming up with healthy
food policies, looking into the issue of language barrier and generally creating awareness on
health issues (Angela Sun, et al., 2017).
Looking into some of the causative agents undermining health among the Asian
Americans, it is important to enact the primary health care approach. This is because some of the
health problems are caused by negligence and lack of knowledge. An action plan that would
regulate health standards in terms of settlement regions would be efficient. Looking into the
areas of settlement would be key in bringing important healthcare amenities among the residents.
Additionally, regulation of hygienic standards and immunization schemes would play a very
important role in ensuring initial prevention of various disease occurrence.
This health care approach is the most convenient ads poor health care amongst Asian
Americans has been seen to emerge from cases of discrimination, general negligence and lack
which makes the people susceptible to various illnesses. Being at a position to counter this
through government involvement and promotion of better health standards to those who have not
yet suffered the blows will help in curbing the many cases of illnesses. Additionally, this method
also stretches to those already suffering from different illnesses as they also stand a chance to
benefit. The primary approach would therefore be the best way to minimize and reduce poor
health in this group.
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When initiating this health plan it is important to look into the cultural beliefs and
practices concerning medicine. This is because the people have different perceptions on how
treatment should be given. A cultural model that involves initial cultural medical practices verses
the modern medical concept would be key. This would involve retention of some of the older
habits that enhance good health and incorporation of the modern methods. This is because while
some cultural medical practices may be wrong some may enhance health and also to not
generally undermine culture.
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References
Angela Sun, Q. B., Chan, J., Cheng, J., Lai, K., &, S. M., & Nguyen, T. (2017). Efficacy of a
Church-Based, Culturally Tailored Program to Promote Completion of Advance
Directives Among Asian Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 81-91.
Lee, J. C., & Kye, S. (2016). Racialized Assimilation of Asian Americans. Annual Review of
Sociology, 42-53.
Nia, L., Xiaoa, Z., Liua, W., & Wangb, Q. (2019). Relationship management as antecedents to
public communication behaviors: Examining empowerment and public health among
Asian Americans. Public Relations Review, 52-62.
Yi, S. S., Kwon, 1. S., Sack2, 1. R., & Chau, T.-S. (2016). Commentary: Persistence and HealthRelated Consequences of the Model Minority Stereotype for Asian Americans. Ethnicity
and Disease, 33-38.
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