Cultural Competency in Health Administration, Essay Example

Community Members Are Of Hatian Descent And African American, Supervisors Of The ‘Research’ Claim No Need To Distinguish Two Groups Differently As They Are All Black And Their Cultural And Social Characteristics

The directive by the supervisors on the need of not distinguishing the Haitian and African Americans is likely detrimental to research results. Though both groups are Africans, it is essential that the supervisors assess them differently to identify arising biases and stereotypes that will limit the chances of developing effective cultural competence. They must include programmes that focus on cultural competence and diversity between the Haitian descendants and the African Americans.[i]

Cultural diversity must include the distinctions and the differences between the Haitian and African Americans. This will relate to their culture, race, gender, age, physical appearance, nationality, the socioeconomic status, language, education level, and sexual orientations. The supervisors must provide strong leadership and embrace diversity in their organization. The linguistic proficiency of the Haitians may differ with that of African Americans. Thus, it calls for the distinctions between the two groups.

In order to promote the health care service provision, distinguishing the groups is essential. This will enable the supervisors provide a mechanism that will improve the cultural competency in the research. Given the different languages, the distinction is necessary.[ii]

The distinction between groups encourages an increase in earnings and enhances productivity. The supervisors must diversify the groups at every level based on race, nationality and other key factors that reflect the community.

Lastly, it is imperative to define the linguistic competency of the two groups. This will ensure that the research carried out by the supervisors is optimal given the differences in linguistic prowess.

In US – why is there a large health disparity between blacks and whites? What issues serve to contribute to this?

Health disparity refers to the health care differences existing in the quality of health across races, ethnic and social economic groups. The Health Resources and Service administration also define it as the specific differences in populations in the presence of diseases, health outcome, or accessibility to health care. These disparities focus on the quality of health care that different ethnic and racial group get. In the United States, health care disparities exist between blacks and whites. The reasons cited for the health disparities relate to the demographic characteristics of the groups. They include, low sub economic status, lack of insurance coverage, lack of regular sources of care, legal barriers, and structural barriers. Others include limits in terms of the health care financial systems, limited providers, linguistic barriers, and lack of diversity in the health care workforce. Factors like education, racial separation, and immigration status lead to health disparities between the whites and blacks.[iii]

In explaining education, report shows that a positive correlation exists between health outcomes and years in school. This is because education has an impact on employment and the social status of the population. However, educated African Americans still have poorer health outcomes. This is explained by the inherited unhealthy eating habits. The dietary preferences that include highly seasoned and fried foods and the food preparation methods have negative impacts on the health outcomes.

Cultural incompetency existing also explains this disparity in health care. The high number of ethnic groups in the United States due to immigration gave rise to different cultures calls for an understanding of different cultures. Lack of cultural competency has resulted to miscommunication and fear. This increases the health disparity. Understanding of the demographic changes and diversity in cultures would lower the health disparities between the whites and the black.[iv]

[i] Surname, In regards to race within health administration and cultural competency in society today, (city, publisher) p.27

[ii] Ibid, p. 42

[iii] Ibid, p.45

[iv] Ibid. p.47