They believe that to stay healthy they should be active both physically and socially. Many Puerto Ricans underuse health promotion or prevention services and only use emergency services for acute problems rather than preventive health care services (Purnell, 1998). They use other methods of prevention and treatments. Good hygiene is the basis for health promotion among Puerto Ricans (Purnell, 1998). They believe that daily showers were help in prevention of infection and diseases. Another method of prevention is that they try to eat healthy. Even though their cuisine consists of lots fried foods, rice, and meats. However, now most Puerto Ricans are trying to stay away from those harmful foods because they know what will happen to their …show more content…
They also use herbal products for prevention and treatments of illness. Some herds include, green tea for sore throat, green tea and mint to treat stomach pain, sage to prevent hair loss and diabetes, and the use of garlic for hypertension (Mikhail, N. et al, 2004). They also use some of these herbs in their cuisine. Puerto Ricans also use folk healing practices to treat some illness. “Espiritismo and Santería are magico-religious and folk-healing practice used by some Puerto Ricans” (Purnell, 1998). Espiritistas solve problems by communicating with spirits and Santería focuses on health promotion and personal growth and development (Purnell, 1998). Some Puerto Ricans go to these folk healers for a cure to their illness first and then if no cure is achieved then they go their health care providers. In the Puerto Rican society, health care providers are seen as wise authority regard and are given the upmost respect (Purnell, 1998). The health care providers must build a trusting relationship with the patients, which is key because the patient will become more open to share information and listen to the advice given by the health care provider. Puerto Ricans are well-educated health consumers and expect high-quality care blended with traditional parties and reliable technological approaches (Purnell,