A consideration of diversity in policy-making should shift the current discourse of culture away from a deficit, behavioural change approach to a rights-based, structural determinant approach. Attention to diversity, thus, may support policy-makers in changing broader social processes and beliefs that presently constrain healthy public policy and maintain ethnic health inequities. There are two theories as to why Māori suffer from health inequalities; one being that Māori have inferior capabilities and the other being that Māori experience greater barriers than others to health. The first reflects a deficit approach, that is those with poorer health are somehow blameworthy for existing health disparities and the second reflects a social determinant
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That is, by approaching Māori patients whole heartedly, with a readiness to learn and integrate their views, aspirations, and knowledge into healthcare services (Campinha-Bacote, 1998), health professionals see support both the structural and behaviour dimension of culture. They are interpreting culture with respect to behaviour as well as empowering Māori at a structural level through reaffirming their worldviews, and mitigating discriminative practices within the health system structure. Evidence indicates an absence of awareness around diversity, the significance of personal attitudes and cultural assumptions (Human Rights Commission, 2012). Again, a behavioural instead of a structural approach tends to be more dominant in the discussion of diversity and cultural competence in healthcare policy. Prevalent discourse focuses on the assessment of cultural competence within individual healthcare providers (Horner, et al., 2004). These places blame on health professionals for their lack of awareness, competence and ignorant behaviour. Although it is crucial to address the unconscious prejudice of healthcare providers, solely targeting individual attitudes will not change structurally discriminatory processes (Human Rights Commission, 2012). The history of institutional racism in health care is an issue rooted in organisational …show more content…
These inequities stem from social and historical processes, culture and power that produce structural discrimination and maintain the marginalisation of Māori. With attention to diversity, policy-makers can overcome these broad social processes by changing the social context. Policy-makers need to value diversity because homogenising and assimilating cultural policies have already been recognised as racist, unacceptable and harmful to the health of Māori in general. Additionally, understanding diversity can enable policy makers to overcome practices of institutional racisms as well as combat the differential power relations between Māori and European- social processes that serve to create and maintain poor Māori health outcomes and inequalities. Attention to diversity may also promote a more socially cohesive society, one that benefits overall societal health. Diversity in policy-making should shift the current discourse of culture away from a deficit, behavioural level approach to a rights-based, structural determinant approach. The later will likely facilitate more effective policy to address Māori health disparities. Finally, diversity can be incorporated into the health sector by creating a more culturally competent environment that is inclusive and
That is, by approaching Māori patients whole heartedly, with a readiness to learn and integrate their views, aspirations, and knowledge into healthcare services (Campinha-Bacote, 1998), health professionals see support both the structural and behaviour dimension of culture. They are interpreting culture with respect to behaviour as well as empowering Māori at a structural level through reaffirming their worldviews, and mitigating discriminative practices within the health system structure. Evidence indicates an absence of awareness around diversity, the significance of personal attitudes and cultural assumptions (Human Rights Commission, 2012). Again, a behavioural instead of a structural approach tends to be more dominant in the discussion of diversity and cultural competence in healthcare policy. Prevalent discourse focuses on the assessment of cultural competence within individual healthcare providers (Horner, et al., 2004). These places blame on health professionals for their lack of awareness, competence and ignorant behaviour. Although it is crucial to address the unconscious prejudice of healthcare providers, solely targeting individual attitudes will not change structurally discriminatory processes (Human Rights Commission, 2012). The history of institutional racism in health care is an issue rooted in organisational …show more content…
These inequities stem from social and historical processes, culture and power that produce structural discrimination and maintain the marginalisation of Māori. With attention to diversity, policy-makers can overcome these broad social processes by changing the social context. Policy-makers need to value diversity because homogenising and assimilating cultural policies have already been recognised as racist, unacceptable and harmful to the health of Māori in general. Additionally, understanding diversity can enable policy makers to overcome practices of institutional racisms as well as combat the differential power relations between Māori and European- social processes that serve to create and maintain poor Māori health outcomes and inequalities. Attention to diversity may also promote a more socially cohesive society, one that benefits overall societal health. Diversity in policy-making should shift the current discourse of culture away from a deficit, behavioural level approach to a rights-based, structural determinant approach. The later will likely facilitate more effective policy to address Māori health disparities. Finally, diversity can be incorporated into the health sector by creating a more culturally competent environment that is inclusive and