During my sophomore year of college I took the initiative to learn about a culture different from my own and was hosted by a Hispanic family in Louisville, Ohio. The intent was to understand how culture impacts health. I learned that poor food choices gives way for the development of health disparities such as diabetes and hypertension. I also learned that routine doctor visits are not always valued as necessary which often results in delayed treatment for pre-existing diseases. My experience helped me to understand that excellent patient care begins with showing an understanding of the cultural background for each patient which displays a level of respect when making treatment plans.
