Multicultural Health Second Edition
Discussion 5
Multicultural Health Second Edition Discussion 5
Why do we need to study multicultural health? Why is culture
important if we all have the same basic biological makeup? Isn’t
health all about science? Shouldn’t people from different cultural
backgrounds just adapt to the way we provide health care in the
United States if they are in this country?
For decades, the role that culture plays in health was virtually
ignored, but the links have now become more apparent. As a
result, the focus on the need to educate health care professionals
about the important role that culture plays in health has
escalated. Health is influenced by factors such as genetics, the
environment, and socioeconomic status, as well as by other
cultural and social forces. Culture affects people’s perception of
health and illness, how they pursue and adhere to treatment, their
health behaviors, beliefs about why people become ill, how
symptoms and concerns about the problem are expressed, what
is considered to be a health problem, and ways to maintain and
restore health. Recognizing cultural similarities and
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differences is an essential component for delivering effective
health care services. To provide quality care, health care

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