Analyze the health status of a specific minority group. Select a minority group

Question

Analyze the health status of a specific minority group. Select a minority group that is represented in the United States (examples include American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander). In an essay of 750-1,000 words, compare and contrast the health status of the minority group you have selected to the national average. Consider the cultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical barriers to health. How do race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education influence health for the minority group you have selected? Address the following in your essay: What is the current health status of this minority group? How is health promotion defined by this group? What health disparities exist for this group? Describe at least one approach using the three levels of health promotion prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) that is likely to be the most effective given the unique needs of the minority group you have selected. Provide an explanation of why it might be the most effective choice. Cite a minimum of three references in the paper. You will find important health information regarding minority groups by exploring the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links: Minority Health: http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/index.html Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH): http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/reach.htm Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: http://www.samhsa.gov/specific-populations/racial-ethnic-minority Prepare this assignment accordin

Explanation / Answer

Health Promotion among Diverse Populations

Dominica Republic Health Promotion

In the United States the health Status of Dominicans is below the national average. Among the America they were very poor and had a low social class. Large Dominicans parts in the US are not insured, it is mainly due to their health status tends to be lower compared to other community. In this community infants and pregnant women are the most subjecting to health risks. The mortality rate of Dominicans was high. For health promotion the migrant Dominicans use traditional folk care as well as professional care for healing and well being (Sensor, 2015). In the Dominica Republic culture family support and faith on God can plays a major part in health care promotion. The health professional care perception quality was affected by cost, expression of caring practices, access to care, and communication. In the Dominica the Roman Catholicism is an official religion and the culture of Dominica was very religious, so the can highly influence on their way of life and culture. Thus, their religious faith has far-reaching consequences regarding health care: childbirth, and postpartum and newborn care.

Roman Catholic opposes use of artificial contraceptives. Most of the Dominican women do not use artificial contraceptives. It means that they are prone to having unplanned pregnancies. Normally, unplanned pregnancy does not pose health risk on the mother and the infant. However, in the case where the mother had just had a pregnancy recently she might not be in a position to carry pregnancy without posing health risk to her and the infant.

The body needs time to recover from previous pregnancy by replenishing its nutrients. Health experts recommend that the gap between pregnancies be at least 18 months. Short gap between pregnancies according to research indicate that infant is likely to be born underweight, prematurely and be small for their age. Moreover, the risk level increases if the gap between pregnancies is six months or less. Additionally, if the previous birth was through caesarean section is recommend by health experts that a mother to wait for at least a year before getting pregnant again. The reason is to reduce the probability of the caesarean scar tearing during a vaginal birth.

The nurse dealing with a mother form Dominica culture may phase challenges when trying to reconcile the cultural practices with standard health care within United States. It is the role of the nurse to explain to the mother the benefits of standard health care. Additionally she should assure the mother that the standards health care practices do not go against her culture. However, the nurse should be careful to introduce standard health care practices that the mother is comfortable. The nurse has the obligation to find alternative method, which the mother is comfortable with when the nurse cannot perform standard health care practice without offending the mother.

There are various ethical and legal issues, which a nurse might encounter when dealing with Dominica patients. For instance, a mother life can be at risk due to a pregnancy and her life can only be saved by terminating the pregnancy. In this incident the nurse is in a dilemma whether to do what is right in regards to standard health care procedure that is terminate the pregnancy. On the other hand, should the nurse respect the mother cultural beliefs and let the pregnancy to proceed despite it posing health risk to the mother. Another ethical and legal issue that a nurse might face is should a nurse force a patient to take medicine. When the patient claims that, they do not need medicine as they are healed through prayers.

Primary approach of health promotion is the best suited for Dominicans in America. Primary approach is the most effective because the health risk among the Dominicans in America is as a result of cultural beliefs, education influence and socioeconomic influence. Most of the health risks are as a result of poverty. Hence by improving economic status of the Dominicans their health status will improve as they will afford medication and health services. Additionally, religion and cultural beliefs plays a major part in their health. However, some of their beliefs do not go in hand with standard America medical practices. Thus the community needs to be educated so that their health status can be improved. The primary health promotion approach goal is to improve delivery and access to health care services in this community that is uninsured, underserved, low income ("Health Data - National Partnership for Action," n.d.). Also the health care workforce should be provided in order to meet demand and supply of the qualified health care workforce in the community.

References:

Health Data - National Partnership for Action. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=43

Immigrants from the Dominican Republic in the United States | migrationpolicy.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/foreign-born-dominican-republic-united-states

Schumacher G. (2010). Culture care meanings, beliefs, and practices in rural Dominican Republic. Peer Reviewed Articles. Paper 14. Retrieved from http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/kcon_articles/14

Sensor, C. S. (2015). Health-related beliefs, practices, and experiences of migrant Dominicans in the northeastern United States. Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs), (2047). Retrieved from http://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2047

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