Unique Health Needs Perspective, Coursework Example

Introduction

Many ethnic groups possess specific challenges in regards to their perspectives regarding health promotion and disease prevention. These considerations play a significant role in short and long-term health objectives. Population groups such as Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and African Americans possess unique frameworks for healthcare and related treatments; therefore, support and guidance for these groups must be very specific and understanding of cultural needs and expectations. These efforts require a greater understanding of the issues and limitations that prevail in the provision of healthcare outcomes for these groups. The following discussion will address positive and negative factors associated with the significance of health promotion and guidance and wellness improvement for a variety of cultures.

Analysis

One of the key challenges of health promotion and wellbeing for specific cultural groups is based upon existing behavioral traits and characteristics that prevail within these groups, some of which possess negative impacts on health outcomes (Netto et.al, 2010). Therefore, behavioral interventions must be considered as a means of exploring new frameworks for the development of altered behaviors to improve health and wellbeing (Netto et.al, 2010). For example, many minority or ethnic groups partake in less than desirable heart healthy behaviors, which may play a role in increasing the risks associated with coronary artery disease (Netto et.al, 2010). As a result, it is important to recognize different methods of improving these behaviors through organized interventions that are designed to accomplish these directives in an effective manner (Netto et.al, 2010). This is accomplished through the utilization of existing evidence-based practice initiatives to develop strategies for behavioral modifications and improvements to achieve optimal health and wellbeing (Netto et.al, 2010).

One of the key challenges to consider with health promotion and related activities are cultural identities and expectations (Bhui and Dinos, 2008). In this context, it is observed that culture plays a significant role in shaping health outcomes and behaviors, based upon existing mental, psychological, and social frameworks (Bhui and Dinos, 2008). Therefore, it is imperative that improved outcomes are achieved through the development of organized interventions using language and other customs to understand the necessity for greater health and wellbeing (Bhui and Dinos, 2008). These efforts are necessary to ensure that different cultures experience the maximum rewards associated with improved health on a consistent basis (Bhui and Dinos, 2008). Specifically, language and phrasing plays an important role in this practice and supports the creation of new directives to improve communication amongst different cultural groups to achieve greater outcomes (Bhui and Dinos, 2008).

Health disparities continue to exist throughout society in different ways. As a result, it is imperative to consider the different factors that contribute to these disparities in an effort to produce improved health outcomes (Koh et.al, 2010). These efforts must be part of a larger framework to promote positive health behaviors, such as improved nutrition and increased physical activity to prevent chronic illness and other conditions (Koh et.al, 2010). Poor health behaviors contribute to an ever-increasing global health problem that is difficult to manage and to overcome (Koh et.al, 2010). Therefore, the root causes of these problems must be identified and addressed through specific cultural interventions to ensure that members of these population groups are in full support of modifying their behaviors in order to improve their health and the wellbeing of the population as a whole (Koh et.al, 2010). These considerations support the objectives sought by the World Health Organization and other agencies to fulfill the mandates to improve healthy living and outcomes for the foreseeable future (Koh et.al, 2010).

Finally, two of the key factors in poor health in modern generations are limited physical activity and poor nutrition, both of which contribute to obesity and related health concerns (Whitt-Glover et.al, 2009). The efforts made across different cultural and ethnic groups must be consistent with the objectives sought by global health organizations so that optimal health and wellbeing is achieved through a combination of weight loss and expanded physical activity (Whitt-Glover et.al, 2009). These efforts are imperative in the development of widespread initiatives to support greater health and wellbeing and to reduce the existence of sedentary lifestyles (Whitt-Glover et.al, 2009). It is expected that these objectives will support the development of new directives to promote positive and meaningful interventions for individuals that will not only promote physical, emotional, and psychological transformations, but also permanent lifestyle changes (Whitt-Glover et.al, 2009). These efforts are critical to the reduction of health disparities across population groups and the development of new ideas and approaches that will satisfy the needs of disadvantaged and culturally diverse population groups (Whitt-Glover et.al, 2009).

Conclusion

Significant health disparities and problems exist across diverse and minority populations throughout the world. These concerns demonstrate that there is a greater risk of negative behaviors and other factors that contribute to poor health outcomes in individuals of different ages and backgrounds. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and sustain strategies that will be useful in the support of improved health behaviors across a variety of population groups. These efforts must begin with an expanded approach to positive behavioral modeling to enable those with negative health behaviors to modify these directives on a gradual basis in order to achieve greater outcomes and to reduce many different types of health risks throughout the world that impact the general population in different ways.

References

Bhui, K., and Dinos, S. (2008). Health beliefs and culture: essential considerations for outcome measurement. Disease Management & Health Outcomes, 16(6), 411-419.

Koh, H.K., Oppenheimer, S.C., Massin-Short, S.B., Emmons, K.M., Geller, A.C., and Viswanath, K. (2010). Translating research evidence into practice to reduce health disparities: a social determinants approach. American Journal of Public Health, 100 (Suppl 1), S72-S80.

Netto, G., Bhopal, R., Lederle, N, Khantoon, J., and Jackson, A. (2010). How can health promotion interventions be adapted for minority ethnic communities? Five principles for guiding the development of behavioral interventions. Health Promotion International, 25(2), 248-257.

Whitt-Glover, M.C., Taylor, W.C., Floyd, M.F., Yore, M.M., Yancey, A.K., and Matthews, C.E. (2009). Disparities in physical activity and sedentary behaviors among US children and adolescents: prevalence, correlates, and intervention implications. Journal of Public Health Policy, 30, S309-S334.