Culture affects our view of health, wellness, illness, and death. As a Primary Care Provider, it is essential you have some awareness of your patient's and family's culture. Studies have shown that incorporating cultural awareness and sensitivity significantly improves patient compliance.

Select a culture and discuss the following:

• How does this culture view health promotion and disease prevention (such as immunizations)?
• How does this culture's spiritual beliefs impact the view of health?
• How does this culture affect your patient care?
• Communication
• Patient education
• Anticipatory guidance
• Treatments such as medications

Effect of Culture on Health – Outline

Thesis Statement: Based on the understanding of the relationship between culture and health conditions of people, various aspects have been discussed regarding African American cultures, where some of them include their views on health promotion, spiritual beliefs, patient care, communication, patient education, anticipatory guidance, and treatments.

1. African American Culture

1. How the Culture views Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
2. Culture’s Spiritual Beliefs Impact on the View of Health
3. How Culture affects my Patient Care
4. Communication
5. Patient Education
6. Anticipatory Guidance
7. Treatments

Effect of Culture on Health

Knowledge regarding the cultural background of a patient is a critical aspect of healthcare care. It enables healthcare professionals to serve patients appropriately based on their culture. In this case, culture refers to the pattern of behaviors, customs, and ideas shared among people of a given society or ethnic group (Canadian Pediatric Society, n.d.). There are several cultures in America. Some of them include American, African American, Asian, American Indian, and Native American cultures. These cultures engage in varying cultural practices, especially in terms of their health beliefs. Based on the understanding of the relationship between culture and health conditions of people, various aspects have been discussed regarding African American cultures, where some of them include their views on health promotion, spiritual beliefs, patient care, communication, patient education, anticipatory guidance, and treatments.

African American Culture

How the Culture views Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

African American people view health promotion and disease prevention practices differently compared to other cultures in America, especially the whites and the Hispanics (EuroMed Info, n.d.). In this case, African adults do not prefer undergoing various health promotion practices, especially immunization. They usually prefer consuming indigenous foods such as cassava, yams, and arrowroots to boost their immunity (Bourke et al., 2018). However, the children and middle aged individuals usually take immunization whenever necessary.

Culture’s Spiritual Beliefs Impact on the View of Health

African American people have strong spiritual beliefs, especially when it comes to the issue of health. Some African American people who consider themselves being religious usually base their faith in God and heal their conditions based on their faith. Besides, others rely on traditional healers who they believe has some connection with the forefathers.

How Culture affects my Patient Care

The majority of the African American people do not rely more on visiting healthcare facilities for patient care. Instead, they usually go to church for players and fast. After playing and fasting for a given period, their health issue usually disappears. This is because they believe that suffering is brought about by sins, and therefore, one needs to repent for him or her to heal. However, if their health condition deteriorates, they consider going for a medical checkup in a healthcare facility. Therefore, they believe that hospitals are the second option after church.

Communication

According to the African American cultural beliefs, when a health issue arises among one member of the family, the information is passed to the family's key person to decide on what should be done (EuroMed Info, n.d.). In some cases, the person may decide to take the patient to church or hospital depending on the severity of the condition. Girls need to inform their mothers while boys communicate with their fathers.

Patient Education

Other than healthcare providers, patient education is provided by older people. Fathers usually educate boys. On the other hand, the mothers educate the girls.

Anticipatory Guidance

Anticipatory guidance among African Americans is provided by church leaders such as pastors. They engage the patient in anticipatory guidance either before or after players. Among non-religious people, this practice is conducted by older adults in the family.

Treatments

The majority of African American people do not believe in medication. Instead, they believe in traditional medicine such as herbs. However, some may go to the hospital under severe conditions while others go to church places for players.