Cultural Differences In Health Care

There are a wide array of cultures in the United States. Culture influences many aspects of an individual's life. Due to the differences, it is necessary for medical professionals to understand those differences and use them to shape treatments. Doing so will increase the satisfaction of care in the patient and ultimately lead to treatment plans that a patient will more likely follow because of that satisfaction.
According to Potter and Perry, an individual’s worldview and decision-making process is guided by the individual's culture. Many cultural aspects feed into individuals that affect what care can be given to the patient. Some of the traits a patient displays stem from his culture, such as: thoughts, ways of communication, values, …show more content…
This will lead to a reduction of smoking, and thus the related health concerns. Beyond those of the community, the smoking decline will help the next generation as pregnant mothers also stop smoking. Smoking while pregnant has serious risks to the unborn child, which become apparent in low birth weight and the chance of SIDS after birth. American Indians understand responsibility to the family, and thus education of the risks of commercial tobacco products would decrease smoking and in turn reduce the low-birth rate and risk of SIDS in …show more content…
The Department of Human Health Services states that AI/AN suffer from among the highest rates of diabetes in the world. The diabetes rate is 16.1% while the rest of the U.S population is only 8.3%. Diabetes is increasing in the youth of the AI/AN population. Diabetes increased 110% in ages 15-19 years old, and 161% for ages 25-34 between 1994-2009 ( ). According to Rowan and Cattle, AI/AN diets consist of a small portion of the daily recommended amounts of fruit, vegetables and dairy. Indian reservations rarely have large supermarkets and little variety at the grocery stores available. The movement onto reservations eliminated a lifestyle that consumed many calories per day ( ). According to McLaughlin, traditional work activities included farming, fishing, canoeing, and hunting buffalo. Powwows, traditional native dances, also provided lots of physical activity. These activities had allowed more fresh produce and meat to be available as well as increase physical activity. As these activities may not be possible as much, in place of traditional activities, assisting diabetic, American Indian patients find access to a variety of low-fat, healthy foods would assist in the reduction of obesity and diabetes. Encouraging any type of physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day throughout an individual’s life-span would also lower the chance