Background Today, Mexicans make up one of the fastest growing minority populations living in the United States (Sobralske, 2006). With this in mind it is important to learn and understand their culture so we are able to better serve their medical needs. Until the 1940’s Mexicans were able to move freely between Mexico and the United States and since then many have decided to stay in America. Today, many Mexicans come to America in search of better job opportunities, healthcare, and education and the majority of Mexican-Americans reside in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas (Cartwright & Shingles, 2011). To help better understand Mexican culture I am going to explore healthcare beliefs, certain folk illnesses, …show more content…
People who are from more urban areas of Mexico are more likely to practice western medicine whereas people from more rural areas are likely to stick to more traditional beliefs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). With this being said it might be worth knowing where you patient is from to gain a better understanding of treatment options. However regardless of area it is important to understand that Mexicans, in general, are more hesitant to go straight to the hospital when a problem arises. The first plan of action when a Mexican person is feeling ill is to try a home remedy, usually consisting of some sort of spiced or herbal tea. If that is ineffective they might then consult a yerbero (herbalist), a sobador (massage therapist), or a partera (midwife) for help. And if all else fails they would turn to their town’s local holistic healer called a curandero, who focuses on accessing the social, physical, spiritual and psychological aspects of the person’s health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). It is only when a person is in severe or intense pain when they will decide to go to the hospital (Sobralske, …show more content…
With approximately 80-90% of the Mexican population being Roman Catholic, it is not surprising to see a connection between religion and healthcare (Lipson, 1996). In traditional Mexican culture it is believed that sickness is the result of either sin, imbalance, or witchcraft. Sickness is also believed to be a sign that God is displeased with that person. (Cartwright & Shingles, 2011). You can also see a strong tie of religion into some of the common diagnosed Mexican Folk illnesses. For example, one of the illnesses is called Mal de Ojo, or “bad eye”, and is caused when someone looks at someone else with jealousy. It is believed that this causes the person that was looked to experience fatigue and a severe headache. It is treated by “Saying a prayer while passing an egg over the victim’s body then placing the egg in a bowl under the victim’s bed overnight, or alternately, having the person who caused Mal de Ojo care for the victim (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
This book addresses one of the common characteristics, and challenges, of health care today: the need to achieve a working knowledge of as many cultures as possible in health care. The Hmong population of Merced, California addresses the collision between Western medicine and holistic healing traditions of the Hmong immigrants, which plays out a common dilemma in western medical centers: the need to integrate modern western medicinal remedies with aspects of cultural that are good for the well-being of the patient, and the belief of the patient’s ability to recuperate. What we see is a clash, or lack of integration in the example of the story thereof. Lia, a Hmong child with a rare form of epilepsy, must enter the western hospital instead of the Laotian forest. In the forest she would seek out herbs to remedy the problems that beset her, but in the west she is forced to enter the western medical hospital without access to those remedies, which provided not only physical but spiritual comfort to those members of the Hmong culture. The herbs that are supposed to fix her spirit in the forest are not available in the western hospital. The Merced County hospital system clashes with Hmong animist traditions.
For centuries, Mexican Americans have dealt with an enormous amount of hardships that date back to their early Aztec roots. The source of many problems in Mexican American history can be traced in the pre-colonial period, before the United States of America was even conceived. Major problems of this era in history not only affected the Aztecs, but also the following generations of Aztec and Mexican descent, and continue to have an impact on their descendents in contemporary American society.
Curanderismo or traditional folk healing in Mexican culture is a very ancient belief system. Curanderismo comes from the word curar which literally means to heal. The founding fathers (predecessors) are considered Don Pedrito Jaramillo, Teresita, and Niño Fidencio. These people were not all from the same time period (era) the common belief shared was to rid the patient as he or she is called of an illness whose roots come from evil or evil doing done (performed) by someone else. This system of belief is not to be confused with brujeria or witchcraft as that is an entirely other belief system with its own credos. Here each healer or cuandero uses individual methods to heal though with one common thread religion. Curanderismo is not limited to just south of the border for it has transcended into Mexican-American culture. Cuaranderismo continues to live on through the genre of Mexican-American literature.
Growing up in a Mexican-American family can be very fun and crazy. Having two different perspectives on two different cultures almost daily really shapes you to become a certain way as you grow up, which is what happened to me. Ever since I was about three months old I have been taking trips to my parents home town for a month time each time we have gone. Practically growing up in both Mexico and the United States for six years has really helped me understand my cultural background and the different parts of my whole culture, such as the food, heritage, language and culture.
Heritage Assessment Tool (HAT), is a questionnaire that can be used to evaluate a person’s ethnic, cultural, and religious heritage. Health practitioners can understand a patient’s HEALTH traditions, by performing a heritage assessment (CULTURALCARE Guide, n.d.). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Heritage Assessment Tool, and its usefulness in determining how deep a particular tradition is associated with a given person. The author of this paper has used the HAT, to compare health traditions among three culturally different families, and how they ascribe their traditions in maintaining, protecting and restoring their health. The three families are from Filipino Asian, Mexican American
Curanderismo can be traced back to many centuries, today it is well believed it is used to treat a minor illness. The healthcare that is used today is very different from the one used 100’s of years ago. This type of alternative form of medicine developed from the Spanish settlement of Mexico , is combined with Catholicism and traditional folk medicine of Native America. Although this type of surrogate of medicine is traced back to many centuries ago , in the present day it has evolved to the point where it has been accepted by the U.S Regional Health Care plans to be part of the insurance plan. Not only have curanderos been accepted into health care insurance plans , but they are now being seen working in hospitals and clinics worldwide. Even if curanderos don’t prefer their patients to take pills they still enjoy working in hospital and clinics. If needed ,one can ask to have a curandero in the insurance. Despite the fact that modern medicine is seen in hospitals and clinics , mostly all curanderos use herbal supplements , prayers, magic and talking therapy for their use to treating patients.
Cultural value orientations are the, “basic and core beliefs of a culture; that have to deal with one’s relationship with one another and the world” (McCarty & Hattwick, 1992). All cultures may encounter challenges with the media and society of how their beliefs and values are represented. There are several factors that resemble how cultural values influence a culture, more specifically the Hispanic culture in Yuma, AZ. Some of those factors are, the expression of their individual and collective identity through communication, cultures identity expressed though the mass media channels, examples of the value orientations that influence the groups communications behaviors, and one of the major events that challenged Hispanics identities.
Child rearing and family structure within the Hispanic culture is noticeably different than what is present in the mainstream Western culture of today. One apparent difference is in gender roles. There exists a vastly different expectation in Hispanic culture for males and females. The male is considered to be the independent breadwinner, and the head of the household. Accordingly, the female role is one of submission and provider of childcare. In contrast, it is more than acceptable in Western culture for a female to maintain a non-traditional role. Hispanic culture additionally differs from Western culture in the traditional makeup of the family. Within Hispanic culture the extended family plays a huge role
Through showing the different definitions of health, the authors explain how those different understandings affect patterns of behavior on health depend on different cultures. In addition, an analysis of the models of health demonstrates even western medical approaches to health have different cognitions, same as the Indigenous health beliefs. The most remarkable aspect is a balance, a corresponding core element in most cultures which is an important consideration in Indigenous health as well. From an Indigenous perspective, health is considered as being linked, and keeping the connection is a priority to preserve their health. Consequently, health is a very much culturally determined. Health practitioners should anticipate and respect the cultural differences when they encounter a patient from various cultures. In particular, this article is good to understand why the Indigenous health beliefs are not that different than western medicine views using appropriate examples and comparative composition, even though the implementation the authors indicated is a bit abstract, not
Latinos have struggled to discover their place inside of a white America for too many years. Past stereotypes and across racism they have fought to belong. Still America is unwilling to open her arms to them. Instead she demands assimilation. With her pot full of stew she asks, "What flavor will you add to this brew?" Some question, some rebel, and others climb in. I argue that it is not the Latino who willingly agreed to partake in this stew. It is America who forced her ideals upon them through mass media and stale history. However her effort has failed, for they have refused to melt.
Health Promotion Among the Hispanic Minority Health is determined in the nation by the minority health. "Approximately 36 percent of the population belongs to a racial or ethnic minority group" (CDC, 2015).One of these are the "Hispanics or Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic minority population in the United States" (CDC, 2015). "About 1 in 6 people living in the US are Hispanic" (CDC, 2015). Therefore, this student will make the comparison between the status of the health of Hispanic minority and the nations ,barriers of health behavior This paper will compare the health status of the Hispanic minority with the nations, barriers to health seeking behaviors, and methods of promoting health among this population. Status of Health Among Hispanic Minority "Heart disease and cancer in Hispanics are the two leading causes of death, accounting for about 2 of 5 deaths, which is about the same for whites" (CDC, 2015). "Hispanics have more deaths from diabetes and chronic liver disease than whites, and similar numbers of deaths from kidney disease" (CDC, 2015). Even though the percentage of Hispanics suffering from high blood pressure are17% in comparison to 20% of whites. Hispanics are 68% that suffered poorly controlled high blood pressure compare to whites which are 54%. Even though Health risks may vary among Hispanic subgroup and whether they are US born or not. Lower death rate is suffered by the Hispanic than whites .But Hispanic has about 50% higher death rate from diabetes. Many deaths may be prevented within the Hispanic population with an increase in education and health screening . Barriers to Health Promotion in the Hispanic Minority "Social factors may play a major role in Hispanic health" (CDC, 2015). According to the art...
This means that the connection between mind, body and spirit mental cures are important. This healthcare belief can interfere with treatment in the case of an emergency, when holistic care can only do so much for a person. The people in this culture usually delay seeking medical advice and attention and often turn towards alternative forms of medicine. Sometimes they can even return to their original home to seek traditional forms of treatment. Delaying treatment and diagnosis can lead to chronic and more serious illnesses. The lack of education and knowledge about healthcare and preventative measures for some diseases, such as regular checkups and the need for medication can impair the journey to better
There are many religions in our world today which healthcare providers must be prepared to appreciate without bias to any one particular religion and expression of spirituality as they give care. Like the Christian and the Shinto, most, if not all religion practices are similar, even though they may have different deities. Nurses will find their patients inclining to practicing their beliefs for healing, such as praying for healing, meditate on their maker and reflection on their lives while they are experiencing illnesses. Families will desire to exercise rituals whether by simply praying or usage of incenses or having communion with bread and wine. Each person has their opinion on the disease process and the best method of curing. Health Care providers should bear in mind that during illnesses, patients exercise the most need for spirituality. Respect and tolerance for them to be involved in whichever method that will bring comfort and healing to their minds and bodies should be afforded. Getting patients to be comfortable and enjoy rest is a positive step in achieving health
This case study espouses a conflict between scientific/conventional medicine and the diverse cultural beliefs. Admittedly, cultural beliefs affect the administration of treatment and care in the healthcare system because more often than not conservative people would disregard conventional medicine in preference for the traditional healing. The case study enumerates how Mrs. Thor is torn between conventional medicine and cultural healing as advised by her father. Eventually, pregnancy complications and emergency force her to sign for the caesarian section procedure against her fathers’ will. However, to address the sociocultural mismatch between the health care providers and the patient as witnessed in the case, I would incorporate multicultural trainings of physicians. In fact, according to Douglas, Rossenkoether, Pacquiao, Callister, Pollara, Lauderdale, Milstead, Nardi, and Parnell (2006), familiarity with cultural context is essential for the nurses to provide culturally competent communication. Further, a strategy to influence this intervention would be the acquisition of specialized training on transcultural nursing practice.
Being part of a world where you are exposed to many cultures is interesting. Every country has its own traditions that may be viewed as abnormal in other countries. For instance, in a specific country there is a tradition where beauty is seen through the numbers of rings a women wears around their neck. The rings women wear around their neck cause their neck to stretch. For some people who follow this tradition women with longer necks are perceived as beautiful. In eastern Burma this tradition is normal, but in other countries this is different. People can be different from one another because they have different beliefs, foods, and taste in music. In today’s society, there