Multi-Cultural Considerations Understanding and Relating to Culturally Diverse Populations

Categories of Multi-Cultural Groups Racial/Ethnic Groups Gender Age (Generations) Sexual Orientation Physically &/or Mentally Challenged Any community with shared values, beliefs, and perceptions.

Major Minority Groups Within the United States Asian and Pacific Islander African American Latino/Hispanic Native Americans/Indigenous peoples

Blended vs. Salad Bowl Philosophies Culturally distinct and separate? Assimilation into general society?

Multi-Cultural Classrooms One fifth (1/5) of children 18 years old and younger lives in poverty within the United States. Fifty percent (50%) of all African American children are poor. One third (1/3) of all children within the United States lives with a single parent.

Multi-Cultural Classrooms 12 percent (12%) of all students in the United States are in bilingual classes. Fifteen percent (15%) of children entering American schools speaks little or no English. It is estimated that by the year 2010, thirty-eight percent (38%) of all students in U.S. schools will belong to a minority group.

What is culture? The body of customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits constituting a distinct complex of tradition of a racial, religious or social group. “Culture shapes the way of life shared by member of a population. It is sociocultural adaptation or design for living that people have worked out (and continue to work out) in the course of their history.” -- John Ogbu, 1987

What is Culture? Cultural variables include general values, beliefs, and perceptions exhibited by a people. Other variables?

African Americans Nation’s largest minority group Higher birth rate than overall population, especially high adolescent pregnancy rate. Members represented in all socioeconomic groups, but one out of three live in poverty (three times the rate of the Anglo-American population).

African Americans (2) Dietary patterns differ among southern vs. nonsouthern, urban vs. rural, etc. Relatively high rate of meal skipping. Consume fewer dairy products, but diets are rich in vitamin A (green leafy vegetables) & protein (poultry, fish, dried beans). Lower use of vitamin/mineral supplements.

African Americans (3) Salt consumption high. Obesity rates higher among African American women compared with non- minorities. Pica (craving of nonfoods, like clay) is fairly common among African American women of the rural South.

African Americans (4) Breast feeding is less common, except among women from the Caribbean. Morbidity and mortality from unintentional injuries is higher, especially job-related (higher job- related diseases too). Family and church are great sources of emotional strength (Female head of house = 44%).

African Americans (5) African American men die from strokes at twice the rate of men in the total population; nonfatal strokes are also higher incidence. Heart disease rates are slightly higher for African American women, but African Americans with higher income levels have lower rates than average. African American men have higher rates of cancer.

African Americans (6) Diabetes is 33% more common among African Americans. An African American male has a 1 in 21 lifetime chance of being murdered; African American women are four times as likely to be homicide victims as nonminority women.

African Americans (7) African American babies are twice as likely to die by age 1. African Americans don’t receive enough early, routine, preventive health care.

Asian and Pacific Islanders Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Asian India, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Samoan, Guamanian, etc. Comprise the nation’s third largest minority group (7 million). Asian and Pacific Islander American Females have the highest life expectancy of any group. Median education levels similar to national average.

Asian and Pacific Islanders (2) Median income is higher than national average. Consumption of vegetables (increased salted and pickled vegetables), fruits, fish, and shellfish are higher, but intake of animal protein is relatively low. Dairy products are used much less frequently (calcium concerns).

Asian and Pacific Islanders (3) Independent, controlled emotions; seeking help outside the family is a sign of weakness. Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B are concerns. Among the risk factors of greatest concern is smoking (Male immigrants: 92% for Laotians, 71% for Cambodians, 65% for Vietnamese) compared to 30% for overall population

Latino/Hispanics Spanish/Spanish-American origin: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America, South America Fastest growing minority group. Contrary to popular opinion, Spanish- speaking countries are not culturally homogenous. Second largest minority group overall* Number of children per family is 3.8.

Latino/Hispanics (2) 24% of households headed by women. 87% live in urban areas; over half live in CA and TX. (NY-3 rd and FL-4 th, with the highest growth rate). 28.1% live below the poverty level. Higher reliance on vegetable protein sources rather than on meat. Grains are dietary staple. Low consumption of green leafy vegetables and dairy products. High sodium, high carb. diets.

Latino/Hispanics (3) Overweight is common, especially among women. Smoking rate high (43% men, male and female teens higher). Growth stunting of 2-5 year olds is high. Heart disease and cancer are leading causes of death, but actually lower than for non-Hispanics.

Latino/Hispanics (4) Diabetes, unintentional injuries, homicide, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis, and AIDS are higher (AIDS is 3X’s higher overall, 8X’s higher in women, 6X’s higher in children). Condom attitudes. Suicide, stroke, and COPD rank lower.

Latino/Hispanics (5) Strong family and community/church orientation, especially seek/respect support of elders when in distress. Lack of early, routine, preventive health care.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes 503 distinct Native American Communities (Eskimos, Aleuts, and Indians residing in Alaska are referred to as Alaska Natives. Those residing in other states are referred to as American Indians or Indigenous Peoples. Smallest minority group.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (2) Variation in socio-economic and education levels. Life expectancy is six years less than general population. Birth rate is higher; average family = 4.6 members. One fourth of Native American households headed by women.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (3) Only 1/5 th lives inside federal reservations. 50% live in urban centers. 31% live in poverty, including 38% of children. Unemployment rate is higher than national average.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (4) Diets high in refined carbohydrates, fat, and sodium. Low in meat, eggs, cheese, and milk. Includes a potential problem with protein deficiency. High rates of breast feeding. High rates of childhood and adult obesity. High rates of diabetes mellitus.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (5) High rates of alcoholism and alcoholism-related diseases. Native Americans, along with African Americans, have the highest rates of injury and death from non-disease causes (general and occupational). 75% are alcohol-related/54% motor vehicle crashes.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (6) Motor vehicle injuries are highest of all groups. A large proportion die before age 45. Causes: unintentional injuries, cirrhosis, homicide (60% higher alcohol involvement), suicide, pneumonia, and complications of diabetes. Suicide is 28% higher than the national avg.

Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples (7) The mores and cultural patterns of the nonminority population imposed upon Natives have disrupted their traditional way of life leading to a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness increasing depression, alcohol use, etc. Traditional sources of emotional strength include family, the tribe, and the land itself. Medicine men play powerful roles in health practices.

Source Office of Minority Health Research Center, Database on Minority Health: Website: