Culture Views on Health

Jessica Knott UOP HCA 230 04-19-2010 Cultural Views on Health Health can have different meanings to different people and in their cultures around the world. A person’s health is not any different when it comes to an individuals, nor does it matter what part of the world they are in but they still have the same thing in common physical, mental, social, and spiritual beings. A person’s health refers to how they feel and also how they relate to their environment and the people that share that environment with them. People’s lives and morals are a combination of the different areas is what makes them who they are, and this does not change because of the area where they are from. A person who is happy and has a healthy lifestyle has created a healthy balance of their physical, social, spiritual, and emotional part of their life. â€Å"There are different ways of looking at health. Every culture has a concept of health that is probably different to that of others† (Capdevila, 2006) A person’s upbringing or background can affect the medical treatment they receive. Some cultures believe in holistic medicine. Some cultures treat their people with such practices without seeking treatment from a clinic or facility. The ethnic, cultural, and personal belief of an individual can affects the ability to receive care. For example in China herbal and holistic medicines are use everyday to help treat patients. These remedies have been used for centuries and continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Now Asian Americans have faith and believe in plants and their healing properties. The new fad in American culture of wellness and feeling the harmony between the mind, body, and spirit has its roots also in the Chinese culture. American culture looks for healing in new modern techniques of medicine and in technology. Americans usually say that we treat the disease and not the patient because we don’t have a patient without the disease. A lot of people believe that the herbal approach is helpful, while others do not believe. Some people believe that it should not be relied on because different people have different ways of providing medical care when it comes to herbal medicines. But a lot of Americans still have a more modern views when it comes to health care, due to the fact that we have the best and latest medical technology. â€Å"The Asian American/Pacific Islander population in the U. S. is mostly foreign-born. Therefore, these families continue to hold on to traditional views of health and illness† (Cantore, 2008) Acupressure is usually what is used in the Asian culture. But it is also being used now in the United States because we have a mixture of cultures. People from all cultures are now using acupressure to help as a cure. It supposes to help with smoking addictions and relieve the pain of childbirth. â€Å"It can be used to stimulate sleep or digestion or to increase mental stability. †¦ Many doctors recommend meditation and yoga to relax patients undergoing modern procedures such as chemotherapy or surgery. † (Cantore, 2008) â€Å"Eastern practices are popular because health consumers are more informed and are taking more responsibility for and control of their health. In addition, these practices and remedies assist the body in maintaining health and aid the body in natural healing. (Cantore, 2008) Vietnamese culture which is still an Asian culture, believes in harmony, balance in their lives and with their health. There are many differences between the American and Vietnamese cultures, for example in America if you are overweight or obese it is not a good thing. But in the Vietnamese culture being overweight or obese is seen as a good sign of economic status and people actually envy yo u of this. There are implications to health care providers when it comes to both cultures. For example, in a culture where obesity is more acceptable, health care providers are challenged to provide care to more people. â€Å"Stopping the cycle of obesity before it becomes the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States is a priority for community health nurses. † (Durand E, Logan C, Carruth A, 2007) Every culture and society has their own beliefs and morals. Some believe in the herbal medicine, some believe that they are heal by faith, and some use technology for the answer. But I believe that the important side of that is that we must respect what a person believes is right. As long as the patient is not going to cause themselves any harm by holding onto cultural practices, is allowed to follow their traditional beliefs. Some of the medical practices that come from other regions and cultures are now being more accepted into the modern world, so we should be open to many different options when it comes to our health and treatment plans. References Capdevila, G (2006, May 25) BOLIVIA: Wanted – Healthcare Adapted To Indigenous Cultures. Retrieved on April 11, 2009 from http://ipsnews. net/news. asp? idnews=33372 Cantore, J (2008) Modern Nursing, Traditional Beliefs. Minority nurses can play a crucial role in helping Asian patients bridge the gap between East and West, old and new. Retrieved on April 10, 2009 from http://www. minoritynurse. com Durand E, Logan C, Carruth A. (2007). Association of maternal obesity and childhood obesity: implications for healthcare providers . Journal of Community Health Nursing. 24 (3): 167-76 (journal article – review, tables/charts). Retrieved on April 11, 2009 from EBSCOhost database.