ethnicity and illness Flashcards
race
superficial characteristics, such as skin color and facial features, used to differentiate groups of people biologically
culture
anything that is made by human beings and not derived from nature, such as beliefs, customs, food, etc
ethnicity
the social division of people into groups based on their identification with shared cultural characteristics and other people (having shared culture)
shared culture
language, food, religion, clothing, origins, myths, traditions, music, art
ethnic group
social membership and identity
ethnic origin
common ancestry and place of origin
most ethnic groups have
- lower life expectancy
- poorer health
ethnoization
when a particular disease/illness is mistakingly associated with one specific ethnic group
ethnoization can lead to stereotypes; give an example
- sickle cell disease and African/African Caribbean groups
- CHD and South Asians
if ethnicity does not directly cause ill health, what other factors can be influential
- differences in culture and consequent health behaviors
- socioeconomic disadvantages
- adopting the western lifestyle
- low population density
- racism
how can “difference in culture and health behaviors” cause ill health
migrants bring their own understanding of health and illness, which is culturally induced
(ex: refusing to get vaccinated)
how can “socioeconomic disadvantage” cause ill health
migrants are low-income workers, therefore are likely to live in poverty or become unemployed
how can “adopting the western lifestyle” cause ill health
2nd and 3rd generation migrants tend to adopt the western unhealthy lifestyle
how can “low population density” cause ill health
social isolation may lead to limited opportunities for social support and triggers
how can “racism” cause ill health
feelings of injustice and social isolation may lead to depression and social disadvantage
ethnicity is a _____ and alone does not lead to ill health
social construct
racism consists of two dimensions
prejudice and discrimination
prejudice
negative attitudes towards someone/something
discrimination
actions based on prejudice
factors racism is associated with
- social isolation
- inactivity
- unemployment
- low salaries
- chronic stress
institutionalized racism
exclusion from goods, services and opportunities that are integral to institutions arising from a racist ideology
cultural competence
- understanding the importance of social and cultural influences on patients’ health beliefs and behaviors
- considering how these factors interact at multiple levels of the health care delivery system
- devising interventions that take these issues into account to assure quality health care delivery to diverse patient populations
factors cultural competence is associated with
- patient satisfaction
- improved doctor-patient relationship
- improved adherence
skills for cultural competence
- critically reflect on own values and beliefs
- communicate in a nondiscriminatory, non-stereotypical way regardless of cultural and ethnic background
- empathy regardless of ethnic background
- knowledge of social determinants of health
- awareness of intersectionality
