Cultural diversity refers to the differences among people based upon shared ideology and shared valued sets of beliefs
Cultural diversity refers to the differences among people based upon shared ideology and shared valued sets of beliefs, norms, customs, and meanings evidenced in a way of life. This diversity is expressed in many ways. Diversity in history, beliefs, practices, and opportunities not only exist among the many cultural groups, but they also typically exist across a wide continuum within the group. Health behaviors are influenced by culture and cultural values as well as socioeconomic status. In this assignment, students will develop a health promotion project for a cultural group living anywhere in the United States.
You are to learn as much as you can about the cultural norms and patterns and how these norms and patterns influence health practices.
The purpose of this assignment is to develop a deeper understanding and sensitivity regarding the role of culture in patients’ lives and in nursing through the examination of a cultural/ethnic group while addressing health promotion strategies and disease prevention.
1. Ethnic/racial identity: How does the group identify itself in terms of ethnicity and racial background? What is the range of interaction outside of the cultural group? Are recreational, educational, and other social activities within the ethnic reference group, the wider community, or both?
2. History and Value Orientation: How are values derived? What is the historical experience of the group that may have impacted values?
3. Language-communication process: What is the primary spoken language? What languages are spoken in the home? And by whom? What language is preferred when speaking to outsiders? Do second and third generations in speak the language of their grandparents?
4. Health Beliefs and Practices: What are the traditional health beliefs? How common are these beliefs and practices within this group? To what extent are folk healing practices and practitioners used?
5. Religious Belief and Spirituality: Discuss religious articles & practices. How is spirituality is defined in the culture? Remember that Religious Beliefs and Spirituality are different concepts.
6. Lifecycle events: Which life cycle events are important to the culture? What are the customs associated with births, coming of age, marriage, and death?
7. Nutritional Behavior/Diet: Are there restrictions? Are there common practices?
8. Medical health care access and experience: Is access to care and equality of care an issue for this group? For example, are group members less likely to receive needed care due to system issues such as financial access or provider biases than another group?
Based on the Cultural Assessment Data, the group will design a Cultural Health Promotion Plan:
9. Cultural Health Promotion Plan: Identify a health risk or health problem the project will address. Describe why this is an issue for your chosen target group and how culture plays a role in the health risk or problem.
Sample Solution
Ethnic/racial identity:
The Hmong people are an ethnic group with a long history and diverse cultural practices. They primarily identify themselves as Hmong, with an emphasis on their shared language, traditions, and values. While some Hmong individuals may identify with broader ethnic categories like Asian or Southeast Asian, their primary cultural identity remains Hmong.
Full Answer Section
Interaction outside the group varies. Many Hmong communities are tight-knit and maintain strong social bonds within their own cultural circles. However, younger generations are increasingly interacting with the wider community through education, employment, and social activities.- History and Value Orientation:
- Language-communication process:
- Health Beliefs and Practices:
- Religious Belief and Spirituality:
- Lifecycle events:
- Nutritional Behavior/Diet:
- Medical health care access and experience:
- Cultural Health Promotion Plan:
- Increase awareness about hypertension and its risk factors.
- Promote healthy lifestyle practices to prevent hypertension, such as dietary changes, physical activity, and stress management.
- Improve access to culturally appropriate health education and resources.
- Build trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and the Hmong community.
- Develop educational materials about hypertension in the Hmong language.
- Organize workshops and cooking demonstrations focused on healthy eating habits.
- Offer culturally tailored exercise programs.
- Partner with community leaders, religious institutions, and traditional healers to promote health messages.
- Train healthcare providers on cultural sensitivity and best practices for working with the Hmong community.
- Increased knowledge about hypertension and its prevention among Hmong individuals.
- Improved access to culturally appropriate health services.
- Reduced risk of hypertension and other chronic diseases within the Hmong community.
- Changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to hypertension.
- Increased utilization of preventive healthcare services.
- Reductions in blood pressure levels among participants.