Health Promotion for Multi-Cultural Populations

Introduction

            Health educators and practitioners have continually faced the challenges in the balancing and accommodating of cultural differences during their campaigns in promoting healthcare. This is particularly so due to the differences in language, age, gender and religion causing different eating habits, health behaviors and also cultural practices such as selection of foods and also the behavioral trends of nurturing oneself. Education concerning cultural acceptance and integration must be enhanced so that communication, equality and reduction of societal isolation among other health disparities can be enhanced which are key aspects in health provision. Culture tailoring so that competence concerning certain cultures can be advocated for must be enhanced so that acculturation can be enforced. This paper focuses on methods of enhancing multiculturalism in provision of healthcare.

Methods to enhance multiculturalism in health care

Culture is a sensitive issue since what is considered as a norm for one community may be a prohibition for the other thus the need to find strategies to deal with these differences. According to Raul, Garcia, Cadoret and Heshaw (2009: 319-325) the number of people immigrating in other countries particularly to the US with the aim of seeking for medical care is very high and has risen by about 50% in recent years. This has increased pressure for acceptance of diversity in healthcare since it is the result of unequal treatment, abridged life expectancy leading to limited access to healthcare and issues of racial discrimination in healthcare for minority groups (Raul, Garcia, Cadoret and Heshaw: 2009, 319-325).

The cultural orientation is thus diverse and requires that the health professionals are aware of this fact so that they can formulate strategies to accommodate these aspects in healthcare which if otherwise health promotion will not take effect. This is going to encourage the seeking to know the social cultural aspects of a group of people so that when enforcing issues such as eating habits, behavioral theories and curative measures sensitive will be considered, this aspect of cultural integration is going to help discouraging stratification which has been seen to be the root cause of dominance in some groups unlike others causing health provision inequity. This encourages equity without considering race, ethnic groupings and social-economic status in the provision of Medicaid, health insurances and treatment (Raul, Garcia, Cadoret and Heshaw: 2009, 319-325).  The distribution of health amenities in miniature cultures that are considered to be weak is wanting and only if culture orientation is embraced them the number of healthcares and also professionals, its quality and cost will be enhanced and equalized in all cultures. This in contemporary society should be embraced as a continuum for the benefit of the coming generations. Embracing the weakness of one community and seeking to know why it is so other than open criticism will help in acceptance of healthcare provided by persons of foreign culture. Culture orientation will also foster openness and enhance a good rapport between patient and medical providers (Raul, Garcia, Cadoret and Heshaw: 2009, 319-325).

The encouragement of the aspect of cultural competence has also encouraged togetherness in cross cultural healthcare thus an integrated pattern on customs, ethics and social norms in medical care. This helps health professionals increase the capacity and efficiency of health competence to deliver services to patient though of different cultures. This can be cultivated by institutionalizing knowledge about cultures to be and adapt a delivery system that reflects cultural appreciation so that satisfaction of patients can be enhanced. This will show professionalism and prevents patients’ complains. It will also help the patient to appreciate the care provided without criticism of the providers.

Encouragement of cosmological studies in both patients and health providers is also an important aspect since it will encourages understanding of different communities regarding the issues of structure and history of different cultures thus creates knowledge and understanding on important aspects of cultural acceptance. It will increase knowledge on perceptions of other cultures thus encourages sensitivity while dealing with medical issues such as those of sex education which in some communities are regarded as abominations (Raul, Garcia, Cadoret and Heshaw: 2009, 319-325). This will encourage competence while dealing with patients from assorted cultures enhancing sharing of knowledge between practitioners.

Conclusion

With the current increase in diseases the need to streamline our attitude towards people of different cultures is wanting and must be addressed if healthcare must be enhanced. This is going to be encouraged by increased cultural competence, cultural understanding and cosmology of certain cultures creating more understanding, communication, sharing of knowledge and building of good rapports encouraging eminent provision of medical care and ultimately quality and equal distribution of health services and providers among the multiple cultures. This is meant to improve efficiency and satisfaction in caring of patients.

References

Raul, I., Garcia,R..,  Cadoret, C. and Heshaw, M. 2009. Multicultural issues in oral health. Journals of         Pub Med in dental clinic North America, 52(2); 319-325