Health Promotion in Minority Populations Essay GCU

Health Promotion in Minority Populations Essay GCU

The ethnic minority group selected for discussion encompasses individuals who share common cultural, linguistic, religious, and other characteristics distinct from the majority population. Ethnic minorities may be identified through various means, such as clothing, hairstyles, language, economic values, and beliefs (O’Neal et al., 2017).

The Latino population in the United States represents a significant ethnic minority. Latinos are a heterogeneous group, including individuals of Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, South/Central American, Puerto Rican, and other Spanish origins (Craig & Richeson, 2018). In 2018, Latinos had a life expectancy of 82.2 years, higher than some other ethnic minority groups. However, despite their longer life expectancy, Latinos face higher mortality and morbidity rates. Common health challenges among Latinos include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDs, diabetes, asthma, cancer, stroke, liver diseases, and cardiovascular diseases (O’Neal et al., 2017). Lifestyle factors, including diet, contribute to their high rates of obesity, unintentional injuries, and suicides compared to non-Latinos.

Health disparities are evident in the Latino population. While they have lower death rates from cancer and heart diseases compared to non-Latinos, they experience a 50% higher death rate due to diabetes and liver disease. Additionally, approximately 25% of Latino children aged 6 to 11 years are obese, compared to 13.5% of non-Latino children in the same age group (O’Neal et al., 2017).

Nutritional challenges for Latinos are influenced by their diverse origins. Although their diet traditionally includes vegetables, fruits, and fiber, the adoption of processed foods and sugary beverages has increased. Latinos are among the highest consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (O’Neal et al., 2017).

Health disparities for Latinos arise from various cultural, socioeconomic, educational, and sociopolitical factors. Key barriers include:

1. Inadequate Health Insurance Coverage: Latinos have the highest number of uninsured individuals, with 18% lacking coverage in 2018, compared to 5.4% of non-Latinos.

2. Low Income: Latinos have lower median household incomes compared to non-Latinos, contributing to financial barriers to healthcare access.

3. Low Educational Attainment: A significant portion of Latinos have not completed high school or acquired a bachelor’s degree, affecting health literacy.

4. Language Barriers: Many Latinos are not proficient in English, posing challenges in accessing and understanding healthcare information (Zamudio et al., 2017).

Health promotion activities for Latinos are often conducted through official healthcare facilities and community-based initiatives. Programs like “Juntos por la Salud” and “L.A. Sprouts” aim to promote health, prevent diseases, and address specific health issues in Latino communities (O’Neal & Beckman, 2017).

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To address the unique needs of the Latino population, a culturally competent health promotion approach is essential. The cultural beliefs and practices of Latinos, including familism, machismo, personalismo, fatalism, and folk illness, should be considered. These cultural traits influence attitudes toward health and healthcare-seeking behavior. A cultural model that supports culturally competent health promotion for Latinos should incorporate elements of personalismo, emphasizing personalized and culturally sensitive care. It should also address fatalism by providing information on preventive measures and the importance of early screening and treatment (Zavala et al., 2021).

In conclusion, addressing health disparities in the Latino population requires a culturally sensitive approach that considers their diverse cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, and education levels. Health promotion strategies should target primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, with a focus on culturally competent care to improve the overall health and well-being of Latinos.

References:

Craig, M. A., & Richeson, J. A. (2018). Hispanic population growth engenders conservative shift among non-Hispanic racial minorities. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9(4), 383-392.

O’Neal, E. N., & Beckman, L. O. (2017). Intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender: Reframing knowledge surrounding barriers to social services among Latina intimate partner violence victims. Violence against women, 23(5), 643-665.

Zamudio, C. D., Sanchez, G., Altschuler, A., & Grant, R. W. (2017). Influence of language and culture in the primary care of Spanish-speaking Latino adults with poorly controlled diabetes: a qualitative study. Ethnicity & disease, 27(4), 379.

Zavala, V. A., Bracci, P. M., Carethers, J. M., Carvajal-Carmona, L., Coggins, N. B., Cruz-Correa, M. R., … & Fejerman, L. (2021). Cancer health disparities in racial/ethnic minorities in the United States. British journal of cancer, 124(2), 315-332.