Health Promotion in Minority Populations

Latino/Hispanic Americans

Latino Americans include a wide range of people from many countries such as Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and countries within South or Central America. The largest minority group within the United States, they face health issues primarily caused by lack of access to preventative care, lack of insurance, and language barriers. Leading health issues among this culture group are heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, stroke, and diabetes (SAMHSA, 2018; CDC, 2015b).

Cultural considerations of health once again include family and religion. The family is so important to this culture that the needs of family in its entirety often supersede the needs of a specific individual. Elders within the family are consulted prior to any major decisions being made within the family. Latino individuals rely heavily on prayer, particularly during illness or when someone is dying. They believe in the concept of hot and cold when it comes to disease. This theory views illness as an imbalance that requires an opposing force to restore health. For instance, if someone is afflicted with a fever (hot) they should be given something cold to drink. Persons within this culture also have a strong sense of superstition and attribute illness to supernatural causes. They also rely on folk healers and home remedies including rituals, herbs, use of medals and amulets, and prayer.

Reference

Falkner, A. (2018). Cultural Awareness. Retrieved from Health Promotion: Health & Wellness Across the Continuum: https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/3