Health Promotion in Minority Populations Essay

Health Promotion in Minority Populations Essay

Health Promotion in Minority Populations Essay

A minority group refers to any group of individuals who, due to their physical or cultural characteristics, are isolated from others in their society, face differential and unequal treatment, and are subject to discrimination. Racial and ethnic minorities in the US face various health disparities, which take on numerous forms, including a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses and premature death compared to the majority population. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Asian Americans, including their health status, health disparities, barriers to health, and health promotion activities.

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Identification and Description of Selected Minority Group

Asian Americans are one of the minority racial groups in the US and have origins in the original people of Southeast Asia, East Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. The 2019 Census Bureau population projects that approximately 18.9 million Asian Americans live in the US, which accounts for 5.7% of the total population (Office of Minority Health [OMH], 2022). The Census Bureau projections show that the 2020 life expectancy for Asian Americans is 80.7 years, while the projected life expectancies for non-Hispanic whites are 80.6 years (OMH, 2022). Asian Americans generally have a high prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and liver disease (Yom & Lor, 2021). The prevalence is attributed to smoking, language and cultural barriers, irregular medical visits, and lack of medical insurance. In addition, they have a high risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, unintentional injuries, and diabetes.

Health Disparities and Nutritional Challenges for Minority Group

Asian Americans face various health disparities in chronic illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes, as well as mental health disorders. The group has the leading cancer mortality rates and has the highest prevalence and death rates from liver and stomach cancers, which are usually the most preventable (Lee et al., 2021). The liver and stomach cancers are attributed to a high incidence of associated infections like hepatitis B (Tang et al., 2018). Furthermore, Vietnamese women in the US have the highest risk for breast cancer, with a four-fold greater risk of breast-cancer mortality than other racial groups (Lee et al., 2021). Also, Filipinos in the US have a higher incidence of overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma than non-Hispanic Whites. Another health disparity is related to mental health issues, especially depression and Alzheimer’s among the elderly.

Asian Americans suffer nutritional challenges due to their diet, which is based on rice and rice products, with limited consumption of meat and dairy products. The traditional Asian diet, high in starch, sugar, and fat, puts individuals at risk of chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers (Lee et al., 2021). Besides, their diet is high in sodium, which increases the risk of hypertension and heart diseases.

Barriers to Health for Minority Group

            Asian Americans face numerous barriers to health attributed to culture, socioeconomics, education, and sociopolitical factors. The group has varying cultural beliefs and behaviors from Westerners, and the cultural barriers prevent many Asian Americans from seeking healthcare. Besides, language barriers limit access to linguistically and culturally appropriate health care (Muramatsu & Chin, 2022). For instance, 30.9% of Asian Americans are non-fluent English speakers, which contribute to communication barriers when seeking healthcare and affects their understanding of health messages. The 2019 Census data revealed that the median family income of Asian Americans was $93,759, while that of non-Hispanic whites was $71,664. However, 9.6% of Asian Americans live at the poverty level compared to 9.0% of non-Hispanic whites (OMH, 2022). A low socioeconomic status affects health insurance coverage, with 7% of the non-elderly Asian population being uninsured, affecting healthcare access.

The 2019 U.S. Census data shows that about 87.8% of Asian Americans in the US aged 25 years and older had a minimum of a high school diploma compared to 93.3% of non-Hispanic whites (OMH, 2022). Low education levels are associated with poor health-seeking behaviors. For instance, Asian Americans have the lowest cancer screening rates and are usually diagnosed at late stages than other racial groups. Sociopolitical factors affecting access to health include the immigrant status of some Asians (Muramatsu & Chin, 2022). Asians without the proper migration documents encounter barriers in accessing benefits like Medicaid and Medicare and cannot get formal jobs that offer private health insurance.

Health Promotion Activities Practiced by Minority Group

Asian Americans engage in various health promotion activities, including alternative or complementary therapies to treat common symptoms and promote health. Indians practice Ayurvedic medicine, which entails using minerals, herbs, and animals, which provide a holistic approach to promoting physical and mental health (Yom & Lor, 2021). Chinese Americans practice Chinese medicine, which includes herbal remedies, acupuncture, physical exercise, diet, and massages, which seek to promote a balance in individuals’ physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health (Yom & Lor, 2021). Furthermore, meditation is common among most Asian communities, especially Buddhists, and is practiced to relieve psychological stress and promote mental health.

Three Levels of Health Promotion Prevention

Health education is a strategy that can be applied in the three levels of health promotion and can be effective in a care plan for Asian Americans. At the primary prevention level, Asian Americans can be educated on preventive measures like healthy dietary practices and the importance of regular exercise and tobacco cessation to lower the incidence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and COPD (Liu et al., 2020). At the secondary prevention level, Asian Americans can be educated on the importance of attending regular screenings for chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, and cancers. For example, those with risk factors for diabetes can be educated to have regular blood sugar screening to test for the disease and initiate early treatment interventions to prevent complications.

Health education at the tertiary level can include educating patients diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, and hypertension on measures to alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life (Liu et al., 2020). For example, diabetic patients can be educated on self-monitoring of blood glucose, foot care, and a healthy diet to prevent complications and achieve optimal blood glucose levels.

Cultural Competent Health Promotion for Ethnic Minority Population

Cultural factors that should be considered when developing a care plan include religious beliefs, dietary customs, health practices, cultural rituals, and cultural practices to promote culturally sensitive healthcare. The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence can foster culturally sensitive health promotion for Asian Americans (Purnell, 2019). It guides the provider when collecting cultural information on heritage, health care practices, high-risk behaviors, family roles and organization, communication, spirituality, bio-cultural ecology, workforce issues, nutrition, pregnancy, healthcare providers, and death rituals (Purnell, 2019). The Purnell model can help understand the behaviors that put Asian Americans at risk of prevalent chronic illnesses, which can be used in health promotion. Furthermore, the model can be applied to identify cultural practices, dietary habits, and healthcare practices that can be strengthened to promote health.

Conclusion

Asian Americans have a high incidence of Hepatitis B, liver disease, TB, HIV/AIDS, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and COPD. They face barriers to health like cultural and language challenges, lack of health insurance, and health-seeking behaviors. However, they engage in health promotion activities like Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and meditation, which target common ailments and the overall wellbeing. Health education can be applied in health promotion to educate Asian Americans on vaccination, screenings, and self-monitoring.

References

Lee, R. J., Madan, R. A., Kim, J., Posadas, E. M., & Yu, E. Y. (2021). Disparities in Cancer Care and the Asian American Population. The oncologist, 26(6), 453–460. https://doi.org/10.1002/onco.13748

Liu, L., Qian, X., Chen, Z., & He, T. (2020). Health literacy and its effect on chronic disease prevention: evidence from China’s data. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08804-4

Muramatsu, N., & Chin, M. H. (2022). Battling structural racism against Asians in the United States: call for public health to make the “Invisible” visible. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 28, S3-S8. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001411

Office of Minority Health. (2022). Profile: Asian Americans. Home Page – Office of Minority Health (OMH). https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/

Purnell, L. (2019). Update: The Purnell theory and model for culturally competent health care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 30(2), 98-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659618817587

Tang, A. S., Lyu, J., Wang, S., He, Q., Pong, P., & Harris, A. M. (2018). Disparities in Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Immunity Among New York City Asian American Patients, 1997 to 2017. American journal of public health, 108(S4), S327–S335. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304504

Yom, S., & Lor, M. (2021). Advancing Health Disparities Research: The Need to Include Asian American Subgroup Populations. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 1–35. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01164-8

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Assessment Description
Select an ethnic minority group that is represented in the United States (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander). Using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government websites, analyze the health status for this group.

In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, compare and contrast the health status of your selected minority group to the national average. Include the following:

Describe the ethnic minority group selected. Describe the current health status of this group. How do race and ethnicity influence health for this group?
What are the health disparities that exist for this group? What are the nutritional challenges for this group?
Discuss the barriers to health for this group resulting from culture, socioeconomics, education, and sociopolitical factors.
What health promotion activities are often practiced by 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 in a care plan given the unique needs of the minority group you have selected. Provide an explanation of why it might be the most effective choice.
What cultural beliefs or practices must be considered when creating a care plan? What cultural theory or model would be best to support culturally competent health promotion for this population? Why?
Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and public health content.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Health Promotion in Minority Populations – Rubric

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Identification and Description of Selected Minority Group 20 points

Criteria Description

Identification and Description of Selected Minority Group

5. Excellent 20 points

A detailed description of ethnic minority group is partially presented. Health status for this group is thoroughly discussed. Explanation of how race and ethnicity influence health for this group is clearly presented. A well-developed comparison for how the ethnic minority group compares to the national average is presented.

4. Good 17.8 points

Description of ethnic minority group is partially presented. Health status for this group is discussed. Explanation of how race and ethnicity influence health for this group is presented. A comparison for how the ethnic minority group compares to the national average is presented.

3. Satisfactory 15.8 points

Summary of ethnic minority group is partially  presented.  Health  status  for  this group is generally discussed. Explanation of how race and ethnicity influence health this group is generally presented. It is unclear how the health status of this ethnic minority group compares to the national average. A general comparison for how the ethnic minority group compares to the national average is presented.

2. Less than Satisfactory 15 points

Description of ethnic minority group is partially presented. Health status for this group is vague. It is unclear how race and ethnicity influence health for this group.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Health Disparities and Nutritional Challenges for Minority Group 30 points

Criteria Description

Health Disparities and Nutritional Challenges for Minority Group

5. Excellent 30 points

A thorough discussion of the health disparities and nutritional challenges for this group is clearly presented. All relevant findings related to the ethnic minority group

Barriers to Health for Minority Group  30 points

Criteria Description

Barriers to Health for Minority Group

Health Promotion Activities Practiced by Minority Group 20 points

Criteria Description

Health Promotion Activities Practiced by Minority Group

Three Levels of Health Promotion Prevention  30 points

Criteria Description

Three Levels of Health Promotion Prevention

Cultural Competent Health Promotion for Ethnic Minority Population 30 points

Criteria Description

Cultural Competent Health Promotion for Ethnic Minority Population

Thesis, Position, or Purpose  10 points

Criteria Description

Communicates reason for writing and demonstrates awareness of audience.

Development, Structure, and Conclusion  10 points

Criteria Description

Advances position or purpose throughout writing; conclusion aligns to and evolves from development.

Evidence  10 points

Criteria Description

Selects and integrates evidence to support and advance position/purpose; considers other perspectives.

Mechanics of Writing 4 points

Criteria Description

Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.

Format/Documentation 6 points

Criteria Description

Uses appropriate style, such as APA, MLA, etc., for college, subject, and level; documents sources using citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., appropriate to assignment and discipline.