NR 222 Week 3 Cultural and Societal Influences on Health

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Chamberlain University

NR-222 Health & Wellness

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Week 3: Cultural and Societal Influences on Health

For a cultural group different from your own, it is important to identify behaviors that may not promote health and to tailor respectful health promotion strategies to their unique needs. This discussion will focus on the Native American population and culturally specific behaviors that can affect health outcomes. Understanding their cultural beliefs and practices is essential to providing effective and culturally sensitive care.

Culturally-Based Behaviors That May Not Promote Health

Reliance on Traditional Healers:
Native Americans often prioritize spiritual and natural healing practices over Western medicine. They may seek care from a shaman or medicine man rather than a medical doctor, as their culture associates illness with spiritual imbalance rather than physiological issues (McLaughlin & Braun, 1998).
Beliefs Surrounding Menstruation:
Women experiencing menstruation, referred to as being in their “moon,” are often considered to be in a sacred state. This belief may restrict the types of medical treatments they are willing to undergo during this time (Mulkey, 2004).
Privacy and Gender Considerations:
Privacy is highly valued within Native American culture, especially during medical examinations. Patients often prefer healthcare providers of the same gender, and exposure during procedures should be minimized whenever possible to respect their cultural sensitivities (Mulkey, 2004).

Providing Respectful Health Promotion Education

To provide respectful health promotion to Native American patients, healthcare professionals must integrate cultural understanding into their approach. First, acknowledging the patient’s spiritual and cultural beliefs is key. For example, explaining the physiological aspects of a medical condition in a way that aligns with their worldview can help bridge the gap between traditional and Western medicine. Working collaboratively with the patient to incorporate both perspectives in the treatment plan fosters trust and adherence.

Additionally, asking patients about their traditions and preferences can guide care. Understanding beliefs related to menstruation or sacred practices can inform decisions about the timing and type of treatment. Lastly, ensuring privacy and, when possible, aligning the patient’s preferences for same-gender care providers can significantly enhance their comfort and trust.

Increasing cultural knowledge, as emphasized in the nursing literature, is a critical step to effective communication and care. By adopting an open and respectful approach, healthcare providers can ensure that treatment aligns with the patient’s values and beliefs, promoting better outcomes (Potter et al., 2017).

Table: Cultural and Societal Influences on Native American Health

Aspect	Cultural Behavior	Respectful Health Promotion Strategy
Reliance on Traditional Healers	Preference for shaman or medicine men over doctors	Explain physiological causes in alignment with cultural beliefs and collaborate on treatment options.
Beliefs Surrounding Menstruation	Menstruating women seen as in a sacred state	Be mindful of sacred practices and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Privacy and Gender Considerations	Strong emphasis on privacy and same-gender care	Ensure privacy during examinations and, when possible, provide same-gender caregivers.

References

McLaughlin, & Braun. (1998). How culture influences health beliefs. Retrieved from https://www.euromedinfo.eu/howculture-influences-health-beliefs.html.

Mulkey. (2004). Native American – Advocate Health Care: Guidelines for health care providers interacting with American Indian (Native American; First Nation) patients and their families. Retrieved from https://www.advocatehealth.com/assets/documents/faith/cg-native_american.pdf.