All cultures have health belief systems which influence beliefs about health, disease, treatment and healthcare providers. Health beliefs and practices within a culture may not be identical for all individuals, though holding many in common. Families of different cultures have individual healthcare needs. Performing a heritage assessment identifies the health traditions of families, and allows for more custom and effective health care.
Not only has America become so culturally diverse, but cultures themselves are becoming more diverse as immigrated families continue to grow. There is difficulty in knowing a family’s cultural outlook and healthcare needs. Using a heritage assessment tool is a reliable way to evaluate a person as a whole and …show more content…
Traditionally, disease and illness are divided into “hot” or “cold” categories, requiring the opposite “hot” or “cold” remedies to cure them. This is often what is most affordable since their economic status is low. Thirty- eight percent of the population lives below poverty level, compared to fourteen percent of non-Hispanic whites (Smith, 2003). As a result, many do not have health insurance, leading to a lack of health prevention, and an increased amount of emergency room visits. Health prevention and health maintenance is not valued among Hispanics, largely because of cost and communication barriers. Getting past those barriers would increase compliance with modern medicine, thus increasing the health status of the entire Hispanic culture.
Typically, Hispanics are not assertive in healthcare needs, with their focus being more on God. Roman Catholic is the predominant religion, and is what the culture is built around. God is central to their health and wellbeing. Baptism and anointing of the sick are important sacraments, freeing them from sin and bringing them closer to God. Illness is viewed as God’s will or divine punishment resulting from sinful behavior. Prayer is largely how Hispanics cope with illness and disease, believing that their health is in God’s
Not only has America become so culturally diverse, but cultures themselves are becoming more diverse as immigrated families continue to grow. There is difficulty in knowing a family’s cultural outlook and healthcare needs. Using a heritage assessment tool is a reliable way to evaluate a person as a whole and …show more content…
Traditionally, disease and illness are divided into “hot” or “cold” categories, requiring the opposite “hot” or “cold” remedies to cure them. This is often what is most affordable since their economic status is low. Thirty- eight percent of the population lives below poverty level, compared to fourteen percent of non-Hispanic whites (Smith, 2003). As a result, many do not have health insurance, leading to a lack of health prevention, and an increased amount of emergency room visits. Health prevention and health maintenance is not valued among Hispanics, largely because of cost and communication barriers. Getting past those barriers would increase compliance with modern medicine, thus increasing the health status of the entire Hispanic culture.
Typically, Hispanics are not assertive in healthcare needs, with their focus being more on God. Roman Catholic is the predominant religion, and is what the culture is built around. God is central to their health and wellbeing. Baptism and anointing of the sick are important sacraments, freeing them from sin and bringing them closer to God. Illness is viewed as God’s will or divine punishment resulting from sinful behavior. Prayer is largely how Hispanics cope with illness and disease, believing that their health is in God’s