Communicating Health Risk to Ethnic Groups, Reaction Paper Example

The main statement of the authors (Huerta and Macario) is that while the diversity of the U.S. society is increasing, health risk messages do not successfully reach ethnic minorities. Therefore, there is a need for creating culturally relevant and easy to understand communications that reflect the diversity of the society.

The main problem the authors identify is that policy-makers and health care managers need to find the balance between creating culturally relevant messages and stereotyping diverse groups. Health messages, indeed, need to be tailored to cultural beliefs.

Cultural beliefs determine individuals’ perception and behavior related to health risks. However, as the authors state, there is a need for using a trusted voice to deliver culturally relevant messages. Lifestyles, attitudes, and cultures determine various aspects of health; diet, physical activity, personal preferences. In Hispanic cultures, family relationships are often more important than looking after one’s self. Stereotyping, however, would not be a good approach, because acculturation and interaction between different cultures change beliefs and attitudes. There is a difference in the preferences and health beliefs among first, second, or third generation immigrant groups.

Incorporating cultural aspects in health messages is an effective approach, however, using too much of cultural references can have an adverse effect. For example, a Hispanic young woman who is a daughter of a second generation immigrant might find featuring a large family of Mexicans speaking Spanish at home and eating in front of the television offensive and over-stereotyping. She might not even speak any Spanish. Therefore, understanding patients’ culture and beliefs and representing the diversity of the society in hospital and health center staff demographics is also advisable, so people who really understand the patient’s health attitudes can deliver culturally relevant messages.

Works Cited

Huerta, E. and Macario, E. “Communicating Health Risk to Ethnic Groups: Reaching Hispanics as a Case Study”. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs No. 25, 1999. Print.