Racial health disparities are some of the most common problems in the USA and many racially diverse countries in the world. Even though African Americans account for a significant percentage of the total US population, they are the worst affected by the problem of health disparity in the country (Shepherd et al., 2018). Based on the viewing of Module 6 lecture videos, I realized that Africa-Americans are the worst victims of racial health disparity in the USA. The Tuskegee Syphilis experiment helps in understanding the problem of racial discrimination against African Americans in the health care sector. It was also interesting to note that African Americans have the highest rate of diseases such as obesity, overweight, and diabetes, as well as stroke and high blood pressure. Cultural conflict and discrimination are some of the major factors that are making it hard for African Americans to receive quality care.
The conscious and unconscious behaviors and attitudes of health care providers towards African American patients are some of the major factors that are facilitating the current problems faced by black people in the American health system. Doctors always have a negative attitude towards African American patients, especially based on the rooted stereotypes and general assumptions about the behaviors of black people (Shepherd et al., 2018). Many health professionals rely on assumptions rather than evidence-based information to treat black patients in various health facilities. Consequently, African Americans do not trust doctors, and they feel that they get less respectful and unfriendly health services. Lack of cultural competence and awareness are causing some of the major problems faced by African Americans in hospitals or health facilities across the country.
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Therefore, the use of culturally competent care approach for African Americans patients can help in addressing the problem. Creating cultural awareness among health providers are one of the most effective strategies that I would recommend to courage the provision of culturally competent care to African Americans (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). It is through cultural awareness that health care providers will be able to explore and understand some of the biases, stereotypes, and assumptions that they hold against African Americas. Health professionals first need to explore personal biases and stereotypes that they associate with African Americans before they offer quality and fair services to black patients. The second effective strategy is the enhancement of cultural skills among health professionals. Cultural skills will ensure that health professionals are providing a culturally competent physical assessment of Africa American patients, leading to patient satisfaction and increased trust in the American health system (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). A culturally competent physical assessment will reduce the use of assumptions and general stereotypes that adversely affect how African American Patients are treated in different health facilities.
In addition, health care professionals should be subjected to frequent cultural encounters with African American patients. African American patients and health professionals should engage in deliberate face-to-face interactions that are largely based on intercultural communication (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). Cultural encounters will not only increase the level of trust African Americans have on health professionals, but they will also reduce suspicions, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and health outcome (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). Besides, health professionals are likely to use deliberate cultural encounters to understand and embrace African American cultures, especially those related to care practices.
In conclusion, the problem of racial, cultural diversity that mostly affects African Americans can be reduced by embracing the cultural attitudes and behaviors towards black patients. Health professionals have a role in ensuring that they offer fair and unbiased care to all patients regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. Health professionals should be trained in cultural issues to enhance their cultural competence and skills. African Americans deserve quality health care services like any other American.
References
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2009). A culturally competent model of care for African Americans. Urologic Nursing , 29 (1), 49-54.
Shepherd, S. M., Willis-Esqueda, C., Paradies, Y., Sivasubramaniam, D., Sherwood, J., & Brockie, T. (2018). Racial and cultural minority experiences and perceptions of health care provision in a mid-western region. International Journal for Equity in Health , 17 (1).
