Health Status of African Americans
Select an ethnic minority group that is represented in the United States (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander). Using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government websites, analyze the health status for this group.
In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, compare and contrast the health status of your selected minority group to the national average. Include the following:
Describe the ethnic minority group selected. Describe the current health status of this group. How do race and ethnicity influence health for this group?
What are the health disparities that exist for this group? What are the nutritional challenges for this group?
Discuss the barriers to health for this group resulting from culture, socioeconomics, education, and sociopolitical factors.
What health promotion activities are often practiced by this group?
Describe at least one approach using the three levels of health promotion prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) that is likely to be the most effective in a care plan given the unique needs of the minority group you have selected. Provide an explanation of why it might be the most effective choice.
What cultural beliefs or practices must be considered when creating a care plan? What cultural theory or model would be best to support culturally competent health promotion for this population? Why?
Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and public health content.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Health Promotion in African Americans
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Health Promotion in African Americans
African Americans Current Health Status
For a long time, African Americans minority group has complained about their health welfare in the United States of America (USA). Many of the black people suffer from illnesses that would have been prevented if diagnosed earlier. However, due to the lack of hospital accessibility, African Americans' medical needs are neglected. For instance, this minority group has a high prevalence of cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases compared to their white counterparts. Poor nutrition and substandard housing are common problems that African Americans encounter, which increase their health risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young African Americans suffer or die from diseases that affect older whites (CDC, 2017). Black people have a high likelihood of chronic diseases since many of them do not seek early medical intervention, and they go to hospitals when their illnesses are in the advanced stages.
How Race and Ethnicity Influence the Health of African Americans
Race and ethnicity are two unfavorable factors that make African Americans suffer from healthcare inaccessibility. Racism and discrimination are among the problems that black people in the USA encounter. Although the situation has been improving day by day, these issues still affect African Americans. When it comes to prioritizing various communities' medical needs in the USA, black people are among the last ones to be considered. Their difference in skin color significantly contributes to discrimination whenever they visit hospitals for medical needs (Lewis & Dyke, 2018). Due to their socioeconomic status, African Americans are undermined when providing services that require more money. Additionally, since black people live in remote neighborhoods, their accessibility to hospitals has become a problem. However, the primary issue is that their race and ethnicity make it easy for them to be discriminated.
Health Disparities and Nutritional Challenges for African Americans
Health disparities among African Americans are higher as compared to those of their white counterparts. For example, black people have higher risks of cancer, influenza, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke than white people. African Americans' lifestyles and socioeconomic status contribute to the high prevalence of chronic illnesses. For example, poor nutrition among black people makes them prone to diseases since their bodies lack the stamina to fight against various diseases. Moreover, since many African Americans are middle and low-income earners, the money they get is not enough to lead healthy lifestyles (Derose et al., 2018). The majority of members of this minority group do not have health insurance. As such, they do not seek medical intervention when they get minor symptoms since they assume that the situation will get better. In that light, the lack of preventive care and poor nutrition of African Americans increase their health disparities.
Barriers Resulting From Cultural, Socioeconomics, Education, and Sociopolitical Factors
The primary barriers to health for African Americans emanate from education, socioeconomics, sociopolitical, and cultural factors. Since black people were among the USA's early immigrants, they did not settle like other groups since they were used as slaves. These people have encountered and overcame numerous barriers to reach where they are today. However, their socioeconomic status is improving since many of them are well educated and can secure well-paying jobs. Currently, the number of African Americans joining higher education institutions has been increasing, which means that this group will afford and have access to high-quality medical services in the future. Sociopolitical and cultural diversity has contributed to the positive improvements of health infrastructure in black neighborhoods (Derose et al., 2018). Consequently, barriers to the health of black people will be eliminated as things...