Angel Benson
April 18th, 2022
HSCI 715: Cultural Competency in Health Science
Seminar Brief II: Health and Healing Assignment
Foundations of Religion and Health
According to Spector, “Religion helps to provide the believer with an ability to
understand and interpret the events of the environment and life” (Spector, 2017). Religion and
health intersect on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. Theologists and researchers have
endeavored for quite a long time to comprehend the effect that religion can have on individuals;
both intellectually and physically, this includes health (Roberts,2019). Hence, there is more than
adequate reason to accept that faith in religion is related with health, and in a positive way.
Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the patient may enhance
recovery from illness (Mueller, 2008).” Interest in understanding spirituality has expanded on
account of a developing number of studies that have shown a relationship between increased
religious involvement, spirituality, and the overall improvement of health (Meuller, 2008).
Religion, medication, and health services have been connected somehow in all populations since
the start of written history. The very first hospitals in the Western communities were built by
religious associations and staffed by religious orders. All through the Middle Ages and up
through the French Revolution, doctors were much of the time church (Koenig, 2012). For many
years, religious organizations were in charge of authorizing doctors to practice medicine. In the
colonies, specifically, a considerable amount of the ministers were also doctors- frequently as a
second source of income to supplement the income they received from church.
Religion and spirituality both advocate better behaviors in terms of health, and are related
with less alcohol and drug intake, less cigarette smoking, more activities and exercise, better
eating regimen, and safer sexual practices in by far most of studies that have analyzed these
connections (Koenig, 2012). A better way of life will bring about better actual physical health
and longevity. Alongside the assumed advantages of religious practices on health, religion may
likewise be related with adverse results, like mental and physical health, negative health
behaviors, and incorrect utilization of health services (Chatters,2017). Religious practices and
beliefs may likewise encourage general lifestyle behaviors of conduct that are unsafe to
wellbeing. Different religious teachings might restrict explicit operations and treatments and, in
outrageous forms, advance and support social deviancy and unusual behavior (Chatters,2017).
An example of this would be following a cult. Some religious practices may negatively effect
emotional states like guilt, disgrace, and uneasiness that reinforce negative perspectives on
oneself. These emotional states, perspectives, and convictions may have negative physical and
emotional health outcomes (Chatters,2017).
Religious, spiritual beliefs and practices are commonly utilized by both clinical and
psych patients to learn to live with illnesses and other life changes(Koenig, 2012). A huge
volume of research shows that individuals who are more religious or spiritual have better mental
and physical health practices and adjust all the more rapidly to medical conditions better than
individuals who are less religious or spiritual. These potential advantages to psychological and
physical well-being have physiological outcomes that impact physical wellbeing, influence the
risk of disease, and impact reaction to treatment (Koenig, 2012).
References
Spector, R. E. (2017). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Pearson.
American Bible Society. (1995). Holy bible.
Roberts, N. F. (n.d.). Science Says: Religion Is Good For Your Health. Forbes. Retrieved April
15, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2019/03/29/science-says-
religion-is-good-for-your-health/?sh=2b36ed373a12
Mueller, P. S., Plevak, D. J., & Rummans, T. A. (2001). Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and
Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 76(12), 1225–
1235. https://doi.org/10.4065/76.12.1225
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications.
ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Chatters, L. M. (2000). Religion and Health: Public Health Research and Practice. Annual
Review of Public Health, 21(1), 335–367.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.21.1.335
Great job Claudia!
Innovation in healthcare technology has been on the up and ups in recent years. This is
especially true with nurse innovation. As more of the population ages, as life expectancy
increases, and as the nursing shortage continues, these new medical technologies are crucial for
continued patient care and the healthcare system at large. New medical technologies can make
life easier for medical professionals and patients alike. Certain technologies can make patient
care easier and more efficient for the doctors and nurses who manage a large patient load. They
can also assist patients in getting the care they need with more convenient and accessible options.
The nursing profession finds many of these new medical technologies help them with
routine processes, as well as decrease human mistakes and errors that can come from too few
nurses who are working long hours with too many patients. While nurses agree that new
healthcare technology and innovative medical devices can help them, they also agree that
technology shouldn’t replace day-to-day human interactions. Working directly with patients is a
huge element of healthcare, and nurses provide a crucial element of interaction that allows
patients to feel at ease.
Working with families, explaining procedures, and helping to take a patient’s mind off
their sickness are all part of nursing jobs (Western Governors University, 2021). Many healthcare
professionals worry that increased healthcare technology could try to remove that human
element. Unlike in other sectors, healthcare’s human interaction is crucial for patient success
(Western Governors University, 2021). It’s critical to find the right balance between technology
and the human nuances that make nursing and healthcare successful.
Professionals also largely agree there shouldn’t be an overreliance on healthcare software
and technology, and that human eyes on both symptoms and needs should be as important as
what healthcare technology is saying (Western Governors University, 2021). While technological
advancements aren’t a cure-all as healthcare solutions, new technology is changing the way
nurses work in positive ways (Western Governors University, 2021). There are seven stand-out
technologies transforming medical care. As nurses are educated about new medical technologies
and practices, patients and providers benefit.
Spector, R. E. (2017). Cultural diversity in health and illness (9th ed.). Pearson. Srivastva, A.,
Western Governors University. (2021, March 1). 7 nursing technologies transforming patient
care. Western Governors University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/7-nursing-technologies-
transforming-patient-care1903.html#close
Hi MeKenna, this was great. I wrote on the foundations of religion and health. This has a
direct correlation with traditional culture of modern health and access to care, as the two topics
may conflict. According to Healthy People 2020, inadequate health insurance coverage is one of
the largest barriers to health care access, and the unequal distribution of coverage contributes to
disparities in health (Office Of Disease Prevention And Health Promotion, 2022). Out-of-pocket
medical care costs may lead individuals to delay or forgo needed care (such as doctor visits,
dental care, and medications), and medical debt is common among both insured and uninsured
individuals. Vulnerable populations are particularly at risk for insufficient health insurance
coverage; people with lower incomes are often uninsured, and minorities account for over half of
the uninsured population (Office Of Disease Prevention And Health Promotion, 2022).
Lack of health insurance coverage may negatively affect health. Uninsured adults are less
likely to receive preventive services for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and
cardiovascular disease. Similarly, children without health insurance coverage are less likely to
receive appropriate treatment for conditions like asthma or critical preventive services such as
dental care, immunizations, and well-child visits that track developmental milestones (Office Of
Disease Prevention And Health Promotion, 2022). In contrast, studies show that having health
insurance is associated with improved access to health services and better health monitoring.
Limited availability of health care resources is another barrier that may reduce access to
health services and increase the risk of poor health outcomes. For example, physician shortages
may mean that patients experience longer wait times and delayed care. Many health care resources
are more prevalent in communities where residents are well-insured, but the type of insurance
individuals have may matter as well (National Academics Press, 2013). Medicaid patients, for
instance, experience access issues when living in areas where few physicians accept Medicaid due
to its reduced reimbursement rate.
Expanding access to health services is an important step toward reducing health disparities.
Affordable health insurance is part of the solution, but factors like economic, social, cultural, and
geographic barriers to health care must also be considered, as well as new strategies to increase
the efficiency of health care delivery (National Academics Press, 2013). Further research is needed
to better understand barriers to health care, and this additional evidence will facilitate public health
efforts to address access to health services as a social determinant of health.
Office Of Disease Prevention And Health Promotion. (2022). Access to Health Services |
Healthy People 2020. Healthypeople.gov. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-
objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/access-to-health
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Monitoring Access to Personal Health Care Services,
& Millman, M. (2014). Introduction. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235885/
Peter G. Peterson Foundation. (2022, February 16). Why Are Americans Paying More for
Healthcare? Www.pgpf.org. https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2022/02/why-are-americans-
paying-more-for-healthcare
Tiffany, these are all very true facts about the cost of healthcare in the U.S. The United
States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2020, U.S. healthcare
spending reached $4.1 trillion, which averages to over $12,500 per person (Peter G.
Peterson Foundation, 2022). By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in
countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is only about
one-third as much. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the trend in rising healthcare
costs (Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 2022). In 2020, the year-over-year increase in
national healthcare costs as a share of gross domestic product was over 2 percentage
points — the largest increase since 1960. However, healthcare spending had been
increasing long before COVID-19 began (Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 2022). Relative
to the size of the economy, healthcare costs have increased over the past few decades,
from 5 percent of GDP in 1960 to 18 percent in 2019 (before COVID-19) and 20 percent
in 2020.
The Christian needs solid reasons for proposing alternative health care solutions. Some
reasons include healthcare’s rising and escalating costs increasing at rates faster than the
population at large can continue to afford. Healthcare is becoming out of reach for the
population in the world’s most affluent country. Insurance practices that limit access to
affordable healthcare will also be explored. The current rate of healthcare inflation will
ultimately lead to economic and social chaos. As a result of the current crisis, 51 million
Americans are either without access to quality healthcare or are underinsured. Healthcare
is a life and death matter, not unlike the abortion debate Evangelicals have engaged for
decades. God’s image is imprinted in all mankind, giving inherent dignity for all those
who are in need of adequate and quality healthcare for all.
References:
Quevedo S. (2008). Culture and medicine: reflections on identity and community in an age of
pluralism. The Permanente journal, 12(1), 63–67. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/07-056
CMPA - When medicine and culture intersect. (2014). Cmpa-Acpm.ca. https://www.cmpa-
acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2014/when-medicine-and-culture-
intersect
Great job Deborah. Culture influences patients’ perceptions of health, illness, treatment,
and death. It also affects patients’ approaches to medical care and their ability to cope and
manage the illness. Gaining an understanding of different cultural values and traditions
will enable healthcare professionals to better understand patients and provide them with a
more patient-centered approach to care. One of the great challenges in modern medicine
is creating effective therapeutic relationships in an era of ever-increasing cultural
diversity (Quevedo,2008). Hospitals and communities have become global villages
where, daily, many languages, cultures, and customs intersect, clash, merge, and evolve
(Quevedo,2008). Yet despite this spiraling complexity, health caregivers, physicians, and
patients visit and revisit this therapeutic encounter ever hopeful that it will provide
solutions and solace. Beliefs, communication, and trust are the currency for a successful
interchange (Quevedo,2008).
Culture influences health and the management of illness, and issues related to culture can
sometimes heighten risk or impact care (CMPA - When Medicine and Culture Intersect, 2014.
Culture may influence, for example, beliefs about what causes disease, whether to engage in
certain health promotion activities or seek advice regarding health concerns, as well as whether
treatment options are followed (CMPA - When Medicine and Culture Intersect, 2014. Culture can
also impact a patient's approach to attending medical appointments in a timely manner. Some
patients prefer not being informed of a terminal illness or the implications of not following
through with a procedure.
Culture can also influence eating and fasting rituals, even when nourishment is vital to
recovery and overall function (CMPA - When Medicine and Culture Intersect, 2014. It can also
play a role in the level of family influence in patient care decisions. Gender differences in a
given culture may also affect health and patient outcomes. As well, there may be differences
among men and women seeking treatment for mental health problems (CMPA - When Medicine
and Culture Intersect, 2014). These are just some examples of the possible effects of culture on
individual healthcare behaviors and choices. While it is common to speak of cultural awareness
and cultural sensitivity, physicians and other providers are increasingly recognizing the
importance of cultural competence and providing cultural safety to patients.
