Question

Select an ethnic minority group that is represented in the United States with respect to African American Population only. Using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government websites, analyze the health status for this group. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, compare and contrast the health status of your selected minority group to the national average. Include the following: 1) Describe the ethnic minority group selected. Describe the current health status of this group, that is African American Population. How do race and ethnicity influence health for this group? 2) What are the health disparities that exist for this group? What are the nutritional challenges for this group? 3) Discuss the barriers to health for this group resulting from culture, socioeconomics, education, and sociopolitical factors. 4) What health promotion activities are often practiced by this group? 5) Describe at least one approach using the three levels of health promotion prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) that is likely to be the most effective in a care plan given the unique needs of the minority group you have selected. Provide an explanation of why it might be the most effective choice. What cultural beliefs or practices must be considered when creating a care plan? 6) What cultural theory or model would be best to support culturally competent health promotion for this population? Why? Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and public health content.

Answer 1

1) Describe the ethnic minority group selected. Describe the current health status of this group, that is African American Population. How do race and ethnicity influence health for this group?

African American Population

African Americans are almost 12.7 % of total population in United States. This African American minority group once called Negroes and now these are called Blacks American. These peoples arrived from African Countries in Colonial period and officially enjoyed equal rights with the Whites and other groups after Civil Right Movement. These have history of forced immigration and are compared to Slaves are being de-cultured and de-humanized. But today this group is very important minority group of United States. More of the population lived in Urban areas and cities like Detrait,New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington,Atalanta and St. Louis. Health Statistics from CDC shows that African American aged between 18-49 are 2 times likely to die from heart diseases than Whites. And between the age of 18-34 yeats 43% more likely have heart diseases than 38% white and 29% more have got Cancer Disease than 20% of White. Also there are some issues like unemployment, poverty, homeless, not active and obesity where the African Americans are Lagging.

There are various reasons why African American group is more prone to the disease like Poverty, social culture, unemployment,homelessness. Many people of these groups are located in poor areas with high housing density, limited access to education, and high unemployment rates. Low socioeconomic status is independently a risk factor for poorer health outcomes and is forcing some individuals residing in these communities out of their homes and into the workforce.

2) What are the health disparities that exist for this group? What are the nutritional challenges for this group?

For many health conditions African American bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability. The risk factors and incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates for these diseases and injuries often are greater among blacks than whites. Eliminating these disparities will require culturally appropriate public health initiatives, community support, and equitable access to quality health care. In 2002, African American who died from HIV disease had approximately 11 times as many age-adjusted years of potential life lost before age 75 years per 100,000 population as whites. African Americans also had substantially more years of potential life lost than Whites for homicide, stroke, perinatal diseases and diabetes.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for both non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites. However Cancer disease incidence per 100,000 population was substantially higher for African American females than for white females for certain cancers like colon,pancreatic. Among males, Cancer Incidence was also higher for black males than for white males for certain cancers like prostate, pancreatic etc.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death for both African Americans and American whites. However African American black males and females had higher cases of hypertension than their white counterparts 36.8% against 23.9% for males and 39.4% against 23.3 %for females.

Racial and ethnic health disparities are reflected in leading indicators also like African American blacks trailed American whites in at least four positive health indicators, including percentages of:

A. Persons with health insurance.

B. Adults vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia disease.

C. Women receiving prenatal care in the first trimester .

D. Persons who participated in regular moderate physical activity.

African Americans had substantially higher proportions of certain negative health indicators than whites, including New cases of gonorrhea, deaths from homicide, persons who were overweight or obese.

3) Discuss the barriers to health for this group resulting from culture, socioeconomics, education, and sociopolitical factors.

American healthcare system is comprised with many disparities and inequalities than puts disproportionate affect on health services and health outcomes. Many issues arises because of this disproportionate services and many barriers also affecting health related outcomes,which are mentioning below:

Culture :

African American groups lives in clusters in society. They are very much mix up with each other. This makes them more vulnerable group and a barrier in healthcare. This make any disease spread in this group rapidly.

Socioeconomic:

People from African American ethnicity and racial groups have less access to economic resources and have less jobs than that of White counterparts. That economic vulnerability often translates to poorer health outcomes because people will got less and will pay less for the activities like Health Insurances. They will more tends towards basic necessities like food, shelter, clothes and less towards other issues like insurance.

Education Barrier:

Lack of educational and financial resources and lack of confidence are primary barriers to achieving best education among African American. African American are less educated than that of white Americans. This makes a barrier among these societies in the field of health and health related communications.

Sociopolitical:

African American have mistrust in government and healthcare systems. They didn't care about any health related warnings or information. They thought that government and healthcare services are more tends towards White Americans. Medical staff are more uncertain and less communicative with African Americans patients than with whites.

4) What health promotion activities are often practiced by this group?

Health promotion activities are important to improve health of any society and community. When we interconnect the health related issues within the community then the promotion of health become easy and healthful outcomes can be seen. In African American community, Health ministry with the help of prominent workers of the community initiated 'Healthy Eating' program which ensure heathy meals in all church events. Most of African American communities are spiritually linked with the churches. So health ministry make churches a medium to spread awareness among this community.

Secondly Health Fairs are organized to spread the education and information about health topics. Because good and healthy nutrition is necessary but education is first most necessary. So health fairs are good idea to bring up the education and the knowledge part in these groups.

Thirdly Health ministry also initiated programs like 'Body and soul' for spread awareness among this communities to consume healthy fruits and vegetables.