| Cultural Group | Belief | Practice |
|---|
| African Americans (numerous groups from varying locales) | Health is viewed as harmony with nature
Illness may be viewed as “will of God” or a “punishment” (especially in children); illness can be caused by “natural” (polluted food/water) as well as “unnatural” (hex) sources
- May distrust health-care practitioner who is from the majority group (shown by silence)
- Reluctant to give permission for organ donation
| - Self-care and folk medicine prevalent
- Try home remedies first or consult with an “old woman” in the community (especially for children)
- May make use of root doctors, spiritualist, voodoo priests
- May seek opinion of black minister, who is highly influential in health-care decisions
- Prefer use of last name (upon greeting)
|
| Americans (usually of Caucasian, European descent) | Health is viewed as a combination of physical and emotional well-being
Illness may be viewed in rational/scientific terms; believe in germ and stress theories
- Increasing interest in health promotion as reflected in lifestyle
- May view alternative health care as possibility/valuable, either independently or in conjunction with Western medicine
| - Believe that infant can “tell” mother its health-care needs
- Early/routine prenatal and well baby/child care and immunizations
- Increasing reliance on/demand for “specialists” in child health care
|
| Asian Americans (numerous groups from varying locales) | Health is viewed as a balance between energy forces of yin (cold) and yang (hot); harmony with universal order; pleasing good spirits/avoiding evil spirits
Illness may be viewed as an “imbalance”
- Child’s good health reflects well the parent/family
- Honor and “face” important
- Suppress emotions
| - Goal of health-care therapy: restore balance of yin and yang
- Restoration of health with: tai chi, acupressure/acupuncture, diet, folk healers, herbs, massage, moxibustion (heat applied to skin over specific areas)
 Avoid dairy because of lactose intolerance Trend: use combination of Eastern and Western treatment modalities and prevention - Elderly treated with respect
- Close, extended families; father/eldest son primary decision makers
- Direct eye contact may show disrespect
|
| Hispanic and Mexican Americans (numerous groups from varying locales) | Health is viewed as a reward/“good luck”
Illness may be viewed as punishment or an imbalance between hot and cold
- Individual is passive recipient of disease, which is caused by external forces (supernatural)
| - “Curandero” (folk healer) may be consulted about mal de ojo (evil eye) and susto (fright) before a health-care practitioner from the majority group
- “Hot” diseases are treated with “cold” remedies (does not refer to temperature)
- Use: herbs, prayers, religious artifacts/rituals; visits to shrines (strong association between religion and health)
- Children highly valued/desired and taken everywhere with family, which can lead to interruptions when consulting with health-care practitioner
- Family support during labor
- Elderly treated with respect
- Men make key decisions in matters outside of the home
- Silence may indicate disapproval of plan of care
- Very emotionally expressive when grieving
|
| Native Americans/American Indians (numerous tribes from varying locales) | Health is viewed as a state of harmony with nature and the universe
Illness may be viewed as a price to be paid for past/future deeds
- All disorders believed to have supernatural aspects/influences
| - Going to the physician/hospital is associated with illness/disease; may delay seeking care as health state is viewed as part of a “natural process” (example: adolescent becomes pregnant)
- Reliance on: diviners/diagnosticians, herbs, medicine man, rituals, singers; may carry objects to protect self against witchcraft; full family involvement
- Children who are obstinate are respected, while children who are docile are considered weak; can lead to conflict with health-care practitioner from majority group
- Elderly treated with respect
- Blood and organ donation generally not accepted
- Handshake, light touch OK, but maintain respectful distance while interacting
|