... one has the pleasure of caring for many different cultures throughout a lifetime career. Cultural competence is vital in caring for a person from another culture. Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 233) states “demonstrating to nurses the importance of considering the impact of culture on health and healing.” McEwen & Wills, (2014, p.233) reports “the goal for application of Leininger’s theory is to provide culturally congruent nursing care to persons of diverse cultures.” Purnell (2013) explains if the care plan doesn’t include the patient’s own health cultural viewpoints; the plan will more than likely not be followed. Native American people place high importance on their culture and heritage. Interacting with this unique group of people, becoming more knowledgeable, and culturally sensitive to their needs is the basis for this paper. By increasing knowledge and appreciating the Native American culture, nurses may improve communication to better care for their Native American patients. Even though the Native American population in Colorado is a mere 56,000, according to the 2010 United States Census Bureau, it has grown from 1.1 percent to 1.6 percent of...
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...April 2015 The Native American Indian with Respect to Healthcare and Religious Practices Carrie Johnson The American Native Indian culture has used alternative medicine and tribal rituals for many centuries. This culture has used natural remedies to treat and cure diseases and aliments within their tribe. The term “Medicine Man” is coined from the Native American Indian tribes. The person who held this title was generally an elder of the tribe. The inflicted person(s) would seek out the elder or “Medicine Man” to treat their sickness. The tribe will use natural substances and tribal rituals as their source for treating diseases and illnesses. A few examples of natural elements are plants and root extracts from their demographic region. Examples of customary rituals could include: chants, dances and prayers. Another unique custom of the tribe is the involvement of the tribe in rituals to treat the sickness of a tribal member. Cultures that exist outside of the tribe may have some difficulty understanding their cultural beliefs and alternative practices, but these practices have been around for centuries. The following are census facts and demographic statistics of the Native American Indian: “Total American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) alone population: 2.9 million or about 0.9 percent of the US population. About 32% of Natives are under the age of 18, compared to only 24% of the total population...
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...With higher rates of chronic disease and premature death among Native Americans, there has been more research exploring the causative factors for these outcomes (Drabiak-Syed 177; Pacheco 2152). One of these studies, the Havasupai study, informed tribe members that they would be collecting blood in order to explore factors contributing to the high rates of Type II diabetes among the tribe (“Havasupai Tribe and Lawsuit Settlement”). Unknown to the tribe members, the researchers were also utilizing the tribe’s blood to explore stigmatizing subjects, such as migration and inbreeding (“Havasupai Tribe and Lawsuit Settlement”). This resulted in a long litigation process, which ended with the research institution providing the tribe with monetary...
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...Health Care Disparities of Native Americans Grand Canyon University Health Care Disparities of Native Americans For many years, the Native American lived a balanced, spiritual lifestyle in which the body played a vital role in the trio with the spirit and mind. One may presume the Native American to be the least at risk for health issues. Yet, they are plagued with several risk factors for chronic diseases. In fact, one adult Native American out of five will suffer from two or more chronic health issues (CDC, 2014). How did a racial community evolve from living off the land full of fresh vegetables, and fishing for lean proteins to be found with such a downtrodden health care outlook? This essay will answer this introductory question as a compare and contrast to non-American Natives’ health statuses are presented. Today, healthy living and good nutrition is not a common finding within 566 known tribal communities or more than 5.2 million American Indians existing within the United States (CDC, 2014). The American Indian is categorically within the highest risk for many chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and alcoholism. Motor vehicle related injuries and deaths rates are also estimated to be 2-4 times the rates of other races and ethnicities. Infant death rates are also significantly higher compared to non-American Indian families (CDC, 2014). To Native Americans health promotion involves a holistic view. A harmony exists within...
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...Health traditions between cultures vary according to the heritage a family is part of. The Heritage Assessment Tool helps evaluate the family whom is interviewed in order to develop a plan for health maintenance, health protection, and health restoration. Each culture offers a different set of traditions and beliefs that contribute to the health care practices they participate in and how the traditions of that heritage are incorporated into the health practices present in the United States. The three families that were interviewed using the Heritage Assessment Tool were families from Native American Indian ancestry, Mexican ancestry, and Portuguese ancestry. All three families were born and raised in the United States, but their ancestors were from other countries, except the Native American family. Although these families were born and raised in the United States, they still carried on some of the traditions from their ancestors. There are many similarities within the three cultures above. All three cultures are family oriented, family is considered to be very important and family gatherings to celebrate holidays and rituals are huge gatherings that involve all the relatives old and young. It is common for these cultures to have large families; it is not unusual to have more than just the immediate family living in the home. In Mexican, Portuguese, and American Indian households, other family members also live in the same household. All three cultures also have many differences...
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...American Indian and Native Alaskan Health Status According to the Center for Disease Control, or CDC, there are currently 566 government recognized tribes of American Indian and Native Alaskan origin in the United States (2015). This group of tribes roughly equates to 5.2 million individuals who make up this minority group. There are many stereotypes that come along with Native American heritage, such as alcoholism, poverty, and illness. Sadly, these stereotypes are true and this minority has several major health disparities which affect them as a whole, including those previously mentioned. Current Health Status and Health Disparities Of the 5.2 million American Indian and Native Alaskan population, a measured 26.9% lack health insurance (CDC, 2015). The unemployment rate does not help the poor health status of this group, being the second highest of all minority groups at 15.8%. A major health concern for Native Americans is diabetes. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, American Indians and Alaskan Natives are 2.2 times higher to develop diabetes. Ninety-five percent of American Indians and Alaskan Natives effected by diabetes have type 2 diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2015). According to US News, only 51 percent of Native American high school students graduate (2013). The educational status of this minority group already puts them at a disadvantage for receiving proper health promotion and maintaining self-preservation. Higher dropout rates can be...
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...The Health Status of the American Indian Bonnie Watkins Grand Canyon University The Health Status of the American Indian The American Indian has long been without adequate healthcare. It was without choice that they were forced trade their land and resources for care and protection offered by the Anglo-Americans ("Barriers," 2016). In 1955 the Indian Health Service was created to provide healthcare to the American Indians. Although the intent was good, this service has lacked the necessary resources to provide proficient care to the American Indian. Unfortunately, little has changed, and the American Indian continues to lack the resources necessary to obtain adequate medical care. Studies show that since the early 1960’s disparity in health status exists between the American Indian and the Anglo American. It consistently documented poorer health, with an increase in diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, and depression. From the report: Invisible Tribes: Urban Indians and Their Health in a Changing World findings were: * 30 percent of American Indians/Alaska Natives adults suffer from depression ("American Indians Urban Needs," 2007). * American Indians/Alaska Natives have higher prevalence of diabetes ("American Indians Urban Needs," 2007). * Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives ("American Indians Urban Needs," 2007). One of the biggest challenges is the inability to access adequate...
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...INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD Intercultural Communication - Comm. 4002-E90 In the health care setting, medical interactions require effective communication between health care providers and patients. The achievement of having effective communication; is complicated by a variety of situational factors including cultural issues. Intercultural communication is an essential component in the healthcare field. It is very unknown if the health care professionals communicate effectively with the ethnic minority patients. Not only are there language difficulties, but also cultural differences such as beliefs and understanding of the disease may result in problems in intercultural communication. (Van, Harmsen and Bruijnzeels, 2002). Communicative misunderstandings between patient and provider can lead to simple dissatisfaction, misdiagnosis, lack of any medical care, or even death. Ineffective intercultural communication can also lead to stress for health care providers, causing anxiety, being puzzled, and job dissatisfaction. Our medical staff must be trained to become competent intercultural communicators so that they can provide better care to our increasingly diverse population, and so that they become less stressed about their jobs. I don’t know about you, but I certainly would want my surgeon to be relaxed and not anxious about their job. Some recommendations that were suggested to health care workers are, that the provider should have training...
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...12 Domains of Culture BACKGROUND PAPER ON SUSTENANCE & HEALTH (HEALING AND WELLNESS) 1. You are what you eat and what you eat is a reflection of your values and beliefs. To many Americans, food is not only a source of nourishment, it is also directly related to health and wellness. This research paper is intended to establish a better understanding of American culture and to reinforce cross cultural competence, specifically health and wellness. Healing and wellness are as ancient and culturally diverse as our nation. Americans today have become disconnected from the values and beliefs we once held. This loss of culture has led to many health concerns. .Fortunately, there is a new food culture emerging in America. This new culture includes a range of treatments that is used by Americans to promote health and wellness. In many traditional cultures, the health and wellness of an individual is related to the combination of the mind, body, and spirit. 2. Traditional culture, such as Native Americans, have used diets and plants to promote health by living in unison with the earth. They equated health and wellness to wholeness. Unfortunately, this way of life has been lost with every new generation. “Less than 100 years ago, diabetes was almost unheard of among Native Americans. Today diabetes runs rampant through many tribes as they integrate into the mainstream culture and adopt the typical American lifestyle.”1 Our values and beliefs have become so different which has caused...
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...Populations: Understanding the Challenges Faced by the Native Hawaiian Population Kristen L. Gallagher Grand Canyon University: NRS 429V March 7, 2015 There are many diverse cultural groups living in the world today. The United States is no exception, with the U.S. Census bureau reporting that as of 2010, more than 36% of the U.S. population identified themselves as members of a minority group (Hixson, Hepler & Kim, 2012). While many people face challenges in access to healthcare, members of minority populations face even greater barriers. In an effort to combat some of these difficulties, the Department of Health & Human Services established the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Healthy People 2020 is an evidence based plan designed to improve the health of our country’s people by reducing preventable health diseases (“About Healthy People”, 2010). The people native to the Hawaiian Islands face roadblocks to healthcare that are uncommon in the rest of the country, and the Healthy People 2020 action plan faces unusual considerations in Hawaii that are not concerns on the mainland (“Hawaii’s Healthy People”, 2012). Hawaii has long been thought of as paradise, with its temperate climate, beautiful beaches and the culture of its native people. While these visions of Hawaii may be true, Hawaii also suffers from exorbitant costs of living, geographically limited healthcare, and the dilution of a culture in which native Hawaiian people had flourished for nearly 1400 years...
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...SUSTENANCE & HEALTH (HEALING AND WELLNESS) 1. You are what you eat and what you eat is a reflection of your values and beliefs. To many Americans, food is not only a source of nourishment, it is also directly related to health and wellness. This research paper is intended to establish a better understanding of American culture and to reinforce cross cultural competence, specifically health and wellness. Healing and wellness are as ancient and culturally diverse as our nation. Americans today have become disconnected from the values and beliefs we once held. This loss of culture has led to many health concerns. .Fortunately, there is a new food culture emerging in America. This new culture includes a range of treatments that is used by Americans to promote health and wellness. In many traditional cultures, the health and wellness of an individual is related to the combination of the mind, body, and spirit. 2. Traditional culture, such as Native Americans, have used diets and plants to promote health by living in unison with the earth. They equated health and wellness to wholeness. Unfortunately, this way of life has been lost with every new generation. “Less than 100 years ago, diabetes was almost unheard of among Native Americans. Today diabetes runs rampant through many tribes as they integrate into the mainstream culture and adopt the typical American lifestyle.”1 Our values and beliefs have become so different which has caused us to become disconnected from the earth. 3. This disconnection...
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...the People of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma The phenomenological community of the people of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is a community rich in culture and tradition that has been passed through teachings from generation to generation. The community is located in eastern Oklahoma and includes the members of the Seminole Nation as well as other tribes that live in the area and members of other races that have married into the families of the community members. The purpose of this assessment is to describe the community and provide an analysis of this community and their needs. Description of Boundaries The People The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized Seminole tribe based in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the largest of the three federally recognized Seminole organizations. Its members are descendants of the majority of the Seminole in Florida in the 1830s, which were forcibly removed to Oklahoma. Native Americans make up 22% of the population of Seminole County (nso-nsn.gov). According to the Seminole Nation Tribal Enrollment Office the Seminole County service population is 5,315 Tribal citizens. The total enrollment of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is approximately 17,000 members. According to 2000 U.S. Census data the Native American (one race only) population is 4,328 and the Native American (one race or combination with other race) population is 5,485 for Seminole County. Geopolitical and Phenomenological features The Seminole Tribal Jurisdiction...
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...Health and Wellness in Native North America It is true that many of the old ways have been lost. But just as the rains restore the earth after a drought, so the power of the Great Mystery will restore the way and give it new life. We ask that this happen not just for the Red People, but for all people, that they all might live. Black Elk, Oglala, Sioux Contemporary health status of American Indians can be best viewed through the lens of various federal policies enacted over the past 500 years. These policies were developed largely in response to dramatic population losses among the indigenous peoples of America, resulting from genocidal actions of military campaigns, the lack of immunity to the diseases that accompanied European colonizers, and the assimilation efforts that destroyed tribal structures and wellness practices. Medical services were first coordinated through army physicians in the Department of War in an effort to control the spread of diseases from early reservation sites placed on or near military forts. By the twentieth century, the rapid decline of the Indigenous population, documented by the “Meriam Report” of 19281 prompted new assimilation efforts to save the first Americans. Healthcare services were re-coordinated within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and then into the Public Health Service, finally resting within the Federal Indian Health Service (IHS). Assimilation policies, however, proved to be highly destructive resulting in the...
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...The Health of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders -------- Grand Canyon University: NRS-429VN ------- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) Population In 1997, the Office of Management and Budget revised Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting and separated the 1976 racial category of “Asian and Pacific Islander” into two groups: “Asian” and “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanderi Native Hawaiians, Samoans and Chamorros are indigenous peoples to the State of Hawaii, the U.S.Territory of American Samoa and the U.S. Territory of Guam respectively. 8 out of 10 Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are native to the United Statesiv. Pacific Islanders include diverse populations who differ in language and culture. They are of Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian backgroundsv. The Polynesian group is the largest and includes Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans and Tahitiansvi. The Micronesian group, which is the second largest, includes primarily Chamorros from Guam but also includes other Chamorro and Carolinian from the Mariana Islands, Marshallese, Palauans and various others which include but is not limited to Pohnpeian, Chuukese, Kosraen, and Yapese from the Federated States of Micronesiavii. Of the Melanesian group, which would include Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Fiji, Fijian‐Americans are the largest in this groupviii. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there...
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...IHS Affirmative Observation One: Inherency 2 Advantage One: Health 5 Advantage Two: Indigenous Economy 9 Observation Two: Solvency 14 Only federal action can solve the case- denying Indian health care furthers an ongoing policy of American Indian genocide 17 Inherency – Lack of Funding 18 Inherency – Lack of Funding 19 Inherency – Lack of Funding 20 Inherency – Lack of Funding 21 Health Impacts – Disease/Death 22 Health Impacts – Disease/Death 23 Health Impacts – Disease/Death 24 IMPACT: Mental Health and Suicide 25 IMPACT: Mental Health and Suicide 26 Extensions to Genocide/Racism Impact 27 Extensions to Genocide/Racism Impact 28 IMPACT: Moral Obligation/Human Rights 29 Solvency Extension - IHCIA/IHS Solves 30 Solvency Extension - IHCIA/IHS Solves 31 Solvency Extension - IHCIA/IHS Solves 32 Solvency Extension - IHCIA/IHS Solves 33 Solvency Extension - IHCIA/IHS Solves for cultural sensitive health 34 Solvency Extension – Congress Key 35 Solvency Extension – Federal Government Key 36 A2: I.H.S. is Racist 37 A2: Transportation 38 A2: “Structural/Distribution Barriers” 39 A2: No Qualified Professionals 40 A2: Bureaucrats 41 A2: IHS has arbitrary eligibility standards 42 A2: Blood Quantum 43 A2: Medicaid Solves 44 AT: Medicaid Solves 45 AT: Medicaid Solves 46 A2: IHS doesn’t use traditional medicine 47 Tribal...
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