The Influence Of Diversity In Health Care

As a nurse practicing in a local hospital, every day I take care of patients coming from ethnically diverse groups. As in the rest of the country, the statistics are rapidly changing, and the minority quickly becomes the majority. For example in the city of Bridgeport alone; 34% of the population are Black or African American, and 38.2 % are of Hispanic and Latino origin. Another 10% of the population is represented by Asians, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders. The white population represents the minority, yet, our health care practices are slow to reflect these changes, and is geared to the white population It is statistically proven that there exist huge disparities in the care of the racially/ ethnically diverse groups and the white population of the country. Achieving cultural competencies in health care is crucial for reducing such disparities. …show more content…
The knowledge that I had gained in this class increases my awareness and understanding of the influence that our heritage has on our behavior and practices. This awareness I hope, will help me to better communicate with my clients, and will improve my understand of their needs so that I might provide them with the care they need, and as a result, help them to accomplish theirs' and their family health