This paper focuses on the Haitian cultural group. Haitians are a group of people whose nationality is Haiti. The term Haiti is derived from Taino Indians’ language, and it means mountainous country. Haitians speak creole as their national language. Currently, the population of Haitian immigrants is 0.3 percent of the total US population (Buchanan, Albert, Beaulieu and U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).
American Community Survey of 2009 reports that 81 percent of people with Haitian ancestry who live in the United States and aged 5 years and above spoke a language other than English at home (Buchanan, Albert, Beaulieu, and U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). In terms of education, 18 percent of this population holds a bachelor’s degree while the male and …show more content…
However, they also believe in the spiritual world hence practice Voodoo. Voodoo is believed to have originated from Africa and incorporated some beliefs of the native Indians who once lived in the Haitian Island before the Hispanic population arrived. According to Voodoo, the gods, called Laos, occupy the highest position in the spiritual hierarchy. They also represent African ancestors’ spirits, the Biblical figures, as well as the spirits of the deceased members of the family. The Laos’ intervention is often sought in times of misfortune. The Haitians believe that the Laos’ power or action is manifested through people. In this case, they possess people and make them behave strangely. The Laos is served by Houngan and Mambo, the voodoo priest and priestess respectively. Haitians also believe that certain rituals must be performed for the Laos without which curses may befall the community. In this case, they believe that mental illnesses and poor physical health are caused by neglect of Laos through failure to undertake …show more content…
According to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released in 2006, Haitian population recorded the highest rates of new HIV diagnosis among foreign-born population living in New York (Frieden, 2006). In addition, mental illness is also highly prevalent among the population of Haitian origin living in the United States. The disease epidemiology among the Haitian population who live in the United States is not of much concern compared to access to healthcare. According to Metellus et al. (2004), only 52 percent of Haitians were insured by 2004. Language barrier is the major factor contributing to the Haitians’ difficulty to access healthcare services. Most immigrants fleeing to the United States have a low education level and can only speak creole fluently. Consequently, they are likely to suffer the consequences of language barrier. Language barrier is the main reason most Haitians shy away from seeking insurance. Haitian Americans also face the challenge of failure to adhere to medication owing to the influence of cultural
American Community Survey of 2009 reports that 81 percent of people with Haitian ancestry who live in the United States and aged 5 years and above spoke a language other than English at home (Buchanan, Albert, Beaulieu, and U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). In terms of education, 18 percent of this population holds a bachelor’s degree while the male and …show more content…
However, they also believe in the spiritual world hence practice Voodoo. Voodoo is believed to have originated from Africa and incorporated some beliefs of the native Indians who once lived in the Haitian Island before the Hispanic population arrived. According to Voodoo, the gods, called Laos, occupy the highest position in the spiritual hierarchy. They also represent African ancestors’ spirits, the Biblical figures, as well as the spirits of the deceased members of the family. The Laos’ intervention is often sought in times of misfortune. The Haitians believe that the Laos’ power or action is manifested through people. In this case, they possess people and make them behave strangely. The Laos is served by Houngan and Mambo, the voodoo priest and priestess respectively. Haitians also believe that certain rituals must be performed for the Laos without which curses may befall the community. In this case, they believe that mental illnesses and poor physical health are caused by neglect of Laos through failure to undertake …show more content…
According to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released in 2006, Haitian population recorded the highest rates of new HIV diagnosis among foreign-born population living in New York (Frieden, 2006). In addition, mental illness is also highly prevalent among the population of Haitian origin living in the United States. The disease epidemiology among the Haitian population who live in the United States is not of much concern compared to access to healthcare. According to Metellus et al. (2004), only 52 percent of Haitians were insured by 2004. Language barrier is the major factor contributing to the Haitians’ difficulty to access healthcare services. Most immigrants fleeing to the United States have a low education level and can only speak creole fluently. Consequently, they are likely to suffer the consequences of language barrier. Language barrier is the main reason most Haitians shy away from seeking insurance. Haitian Americans also face the challenge of failure to adhere to medication owing to the influence of cultural