CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE

DEFINITIONS Culture – A set of values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs of a group of people Ethnicity – Classification of people based on their national origin or culture Ie. African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American Race – Classification based on physical or biological characteristics Stereotyping – casting ALL of one ethic group, race, age, gender, sexual orientation into a preconceived notion

HOLISTIC WELL BEING AND DIVERSITY Holistic well being addresses mental, emotional, physical and social well being Areas of cultural diversity Family Language Personal space Eye contact Gestures Healthcare beliefs Spirituality Religion

HEALTH A state of physical, mental and social well being South Africa – harmony with nature, mind, body and spirit Asia – physical and spiritual harmony with nature in balance Europe – personal responsibility for diet, rest, exercise and prevention Hispanic – good luck, religious reward, balance Middle Eastern – spiritual and clean Native American – harmony between man and nature, balance of mind body and spirit

HEALTH SUPERSTITIONS Sassafras root in the pocket to guard against illness Asafetida worn on a string around the neck or a buckeye in the pocket Single nutmeg on a string protects against boils and lice Keep windows open while sleeping decreases morning headaches

ILLNESS Abnormal functioning of the body South African – spirits and demons Asian – imbalance of supernatural forces European – sin Hispanic – sins, fright, evil Middle Eastern – sins and evil living Native American – supernatural forces, violating nature American – a mixture of all

COOL FOLK REMEDIES Similar among ethnic groups Religion plays a role Women, especially older women are caregivers Can delay healthcare

CULTURE ASIAN Prevention – balance between physical and spiritual forces Home treatments temperatures, herbs, acupuncture, energy JEWISH Prevention – camphor around neck in a bag Home treatments Wrap a salted herring in a bag and put it on neck for sore throats Chopped and fried onions to make a compress for infections

JEWISH Prevention – wear camphor around the neck Home treatments

CULTURE Native American Prevention – keep everything clean, drink molasses Home treatment Place keys on a chain around the neck to stop a bloody nose Suck yolks out of egg shells, use honey and lemon, wear onions around neck AFRICAN Prevention – eat hot peppers and garlic Home treatment Eat hot and sour foods, make medicines from roots, make fire from plants and make the inflicted laugh

CULTURE German Prevention – no sweets at meals, cod liver oil, milk, spring tonic Home remedies Honey and vinegar for cough, warm milk in ear, soap for constipation, beef bone broth Hispanic Prevention – prayer Home remedies Hot and cold treatments, prayers and candles, herbs, massage, oils

CULTURE Irish Prevention – clean bowels with sienna, drink sulfur annually, onions under bed Home remedies – spirits of nitre on sugar, lemonade and whiskey, teas Itatlian Prevention – garlic cloves, stay warm and away from draft Home remedies – chicken soup, mint tea, egg whites on swelling

CULTURE Middle eastern Prevention – spirituality and cleanliness Home remedies – meditation, charms and amulets

HEALING Religion 3 rd, 7 th, 8 th, and 40 th days after birth are significant Cutting hair and animal sacrifice Circumcision Baptism Rites

HEALING Evil eye Power of the eye can strike the victim down It is sudden Victim may not know Rituals and symbols can cure

HEALING Amulets, bangles and talismans Wearing or hanging garlic, onion, eggs, hot or cold foods Burning candles, blessings, calling on the saints Healers and shamen Natural products Blood letting Avoiding envy and jealousy

HEALING Spiritual Inner Physical Deliverance Pilgramages Rituals