8-1

Cultural Awareness and Health Disparities: Strategies

Early in this course, we discussed the shifting demographics in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau reported increases in underrepresented groups and a decline in non-Hispanic white (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000). The U.S. Census Bureau projects that population of Hispanic origin will grow from 11.3 percent in 2000 to 22.5 percent in 2050.

Answer the following questions and in one page or less:

• Consider market segmentation relative to shifting U.S. demographics. How might different cultural values identified by Pérez and Luquis (pp. 185–186) affect your practice as a health care provider?
• Select a cultural group (perhaps the one you identified for your Cultural Competence Development Plan) or another one from Pérez and Luquis (Appendix C, p. 253). Describe how different cultural values, attitudes, and beliefs may impact a cultural group's health disparities, and more importantly, patient safety and outcomes.
• As a health care leader, you are responsible for shaping a supportive environment. How important are cultural awareness, experience, and practice?
• You will be making recommendations to a health care organization in your Cultural Competence Development Plan. Do you believe that this plan should be integrated with the organization's strategic plan? If so, why? If not, why?

Reference

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Table DP-1. Profile of general demographic characteristics: 2000. (2000). Retrieved from http://censtats.census.gov/data/US/01000.pdf

Response Guidelines

Read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Develop and present follow-up questions or supporting statements that may help clarify their perspectives.