Millions of Americans are living with hypertension. Collaboration of patients and providers to control the disease can help prevent life-threatening illnesses. Patient perceptions pertaining to an illness or disease can dictate one’s health behaviors, yet little attention has been directed toward the perceptions of Mexican American adults in relation to hypertension. Although hypertension is most prevalent among African Americans, Hispanics have higher rates of mortality due to poverty, cultural barriers, and customs affecting modifiable risk factors, prevention, and treatment. Without the proper treatment, many hypertensive patients may face devastating complications, including myocardial infarction, kidney failure, and blindness.
Hypertension affects approximately 73 million Americans. It is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated. Hypertension, also called high blood pressure is often seen concurrent with diabetes mellitus. Many refer to hypertension as the “silent killer” because often time’s individuals are Asymptomatic. Ideally, blood pressure is expected to be less than 120mmHg systolic and 80mmHg diastolic. Hypertension is defined as sustained blood pressure of the arteries greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg. . Twenty nine percent of Mexican American men and thirty one percent of Mexican American women are living with hypertension. Mexican American hypertension levels are compatible to non-Hispanic whites; however, they are less likely to have their blood pressure treated or controlled compared to whites and African Americans. Hypertension increases the work load of the heart leading to other chronic disease processes, most commonly myocardial infarction often referred to as a heart attack. La...
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Vicki is a 42-year-old African American woman who was diagnosed with Hypertension a month ago. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for the past 20 years. She is self-employed and runs a successful insurance agency. Her work requires frequent travel and Vicki often has to eat at fast food restaurants for most of her meals. A poor diet that is high in salt and fat and low in nutrients for the body and stress from her job are contributing factors of Vicki’s diagnosis of hypertension. This paper will discuss the diagnostic testing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine treatments, the prognosis for hypertension, appropriate treatment for Vicki, patient education, and potential barriers to therapy that Vicki may experience.
As early as the 1800s clinicians began to take a closer look at elevated blood pressure levels, they soon found high correlation between hypertension, stroke, and other heart diseases. They also established that high levels of blood pressure effected both privilege and underprivileged, and within the years they have noted the disease have become more prevalent in the African American culture. Long term studies, such as randomized controlled trial studies, unveiled
Therefore, Mexican Americans typically take a passive role with regard to treatment options. For example, Mexican Americans seldom voice problems with pain while in the hospital due to a high value being placed on stoicism. Consequently, studies show that they receive inadequate analgesia more often than any other population. Life-sustaining measures may also be requested by family members if there is any hope that the ill loved one will survive. However, Mexican Americans believe that th...
Many health disparities within races in the U.S. are considered to be not fully explained by commonly blamed causes such as socioeconomic status, income, and health status. In fact, research suggests that implicit bias in health care providers plays a role in these disparities since implicit bias to race can affect not only the clinical decision but also treatment(Brooks KC. 2015.) Some articles I read in the past also suggest another mechanism that chronic stress caused by constant prejudice in daily lives of minority people would activate HPA axis that regulates stress hormone and end up with hypertension, which is disproportionately common among minorities in the
Clara E. Rodriguez wrote an essay titled, "What It Means To Be Latino". On this essay she explains the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino, elaborating on how the term "Hispanic" was created by the U.S. census in 1970, to use it as a general term to describe all of the people who came from, or, had parents who came from a Spanish speaking country. Then she states that the term "Latino", is a term considered to be more neutral and racially inclusive by many people of this population, although she made a good point of view, it still failed to describe the more complexity on the meaning of the term Latino.
The Latino community is considered the largest demographic minority in the United States and is expect to increase by approximately 15% in 2050 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2002). The Latino population is comprised of many subgroups from many different regions that have developed unique beliefs, norms, and sociopolitical experiences. Although the term Latino is used throughout this paper, it is important to underscore the great diversity found within the Latino community to avoid the development and perpetuation of stereotypes. In clinical practice, it is important to evaluate the individual in terms of their racial identity, acculturation, and socioeconomic status among other factors to create a more individualized and effective treatment
The United States’ population is currently rising exponentially and with growth comes demographic shifts. Some of the demographics shifts include the population growth of Hispanics, increase in senior citizens especially minority elderly, increase in number of residents who do not speak English, increase in foreign-born residents, population trends of people from different sexual orientation, and trends of people with disabilities (Perez & Luquis, 2009). As a public health practitioner, the only way to effectively eliminate health disparities among Americans, one must explore and embrace the demographic shifts of the United States population because differences exist among ethnic groups (Perez, 2009). We must be cognizant of the adverse health conditions for each population and the types of socioeconomic factors that affect them. Culture helps shape an individual’s health related beliefs, values, and behaviors. It is more than ethnicity and race; culture involves economic, political, religious, psychological, and biological aspects (Kleinman & Benson, 2006). All of these conditions take on an emotional tone and moral meaning for participants (Kleinman & Benson, 2006). As a health professional, it is one’s duty to have adequate knowledge and awareness of various cultures to effectively promote health behavior change. Cultural and linguistic competencies through cultural humility are two important aspects of working in the field of public health. Cultural competency is having a sense of understanding and respect for different cultural groups, while linguistic competency is the complete awareness of the language barriers that impact the health of individuals. These concepts are used to then work effectively work with various pop...
My most humbling experience was volunteering as a patient ambassador for the East Harlem Health Outreach Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The program allows for Latinos of East Harlem to receive medical services for free or discounted. The duties of a patient ambassador are to help navigate patients to their appointment and answer any questions about their visit. All of the patients that I escorted were Latinos and some were Spanish speaking only. This experience made me think about the barriers of health within the Latino community. The two most common barriers of health that I observed within the Latino population are language and lack of insurance. As a person who does not speak Spanish, communicating effectively with
Childbirth is biological, psychological, and natural activities by which the human species grow into its family cycle and childbirth also have a sexual tradition. Beyond the emotions and the various phases that it creates, childbirth has specific criteria to be met on both man and woman. Their union must be founded on the reciprocal love, the biological and psychological maturation, and a developed sense of responsibility. Because of this, a pregnancy occurred early in life is becoming a situation full of social, economical and psychological difficulties. The birth’s pain is weighted quickly on the young and premature couple. In the United States, teen’s pregnancies from ages 15 -19 remain one of the highest situations in the modern world. It has had little chance of success because many teens are still becoming parents and this problem is constantly increasing in the Latino/ Hispanic community. Immigration, peer pressures, dropout rate, cultural difference, and economic disadvantages are main reasons behind the majority teen’s pregnancies in this community. After I explain why it’s important to reduce teen’s pregnancy rates, I will suggest some challenging yet feasible solutions to break the cycle of unplanned pregnancies.
According to the textbook, "Racial and Ethnic Groups" (14th edition) by Richard T. Schaefer described how Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups are restricted from the healthcare system as opposed to other ethnicities. Despite the fact that, all people including illegal immigrants have access to medical treatment under emergency circumstances through federal laws; many Hispanics are cautious in seeking for medical treatment. Approximately, a third don't have health insurance or any other sort of coverage for example Medicaid. Thus, the uninsured aren't likely to have a source of medical care that's considered to be regular, so they anticipate a crisis prior to seeking for care. The healthcare crisis Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups are facing is in result of the insufficient amount of Hispanic or fluent spanish health professionals.
Imagine having to leave your hometown, where you have lived all of your life, in search of another job. You do not want to move, but at the same time you want to provide food and a decent lifestyle for you and your family. News arrives that an abundance of jobs are available in another part of the country. Hoping for the best, you pack your bags and head for employment. Your kids are saddened about the situation, but they understand the need for relocation. During the travel to the new area, you and your family begin to get excited about living in a different place, even though everyone regrets leaving friends and family behind.
"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 is 17% in comparison to 20% of whites. Hispanics are 68% who suffer from poorly controlled high blood pressure compared to whites which are 54%. Health risks may vary among Hispanic subgroups and whether they are US born or not. Lower death rate is suffered by the Hispanic than whites.
Today, the Hispanic population has grown tremendously over the years. We have watched the Hispanics community growth rate grow faster than any other racial and ethnic group in the nation. The Hispanic culture and community has populated all around the United States, introducing new traditions and customs. I was traveling to different to city in the States, I notice the wide spread growth of Hispanic communities, For Instance in Miami the Cuban and El Salvadoran culture is heavy populate in the area. In New York the Puerto Rican culture is dominating through out the several boroughs. I have come around town and Hispanics are known for their good food, which tends to have more diverse people try new cultural customs. Hispanic or Latino Americans are a group of people made up of distinct characteristics. Hispanics or Latinos are defined as a people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish speaking cultures.
Based on the case study provided of JM, a 43-year old Hispanic female with type 2 diabetes, identified barriers include finances, time, culture expectations and values, and knowledge related to diabetes management. Having health insurance through her employer is a financial advantage for JM in her diabetes management. However, finances have led to decreased activity as evidenced by dropping her dance classes. Eating healthy food is widely perceived as more expensive. She is a busy woman committed to her family, church and work. Time to shop, read labels, prepare healthy meals and fit in physical activity will be limited by competing priorities. Aroian, Peters, Rudner, & Waser (2012) categorized culture expectations and values into six subcategories of: traditional foods as a marker of ethnicity, hospitality, and affection; valuing social interaction over solitary exercise; trying to be the ideal Hispanic; fatalism; not seeking health care; and for some Hispanics, being overweight as normative.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for kidney disease. However, Asian Americans have a higher risk for kidney disease than Caucasians. Although it’s not entirely clear why Asian’s experience kidney disease at a higher rate diabetes seems to be a risk factor along with high blood pressure, diet, and access to health care. The job of the kidneys is to clean your blood, keep the balance of salt and minerals, and help control blood pressure, when kidneys fail to do these jobs it results in kidney disease. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the risk of diabetes is 18% higher among Asian Americans than white Americans and about 1/3 of people with diabetes develop kidney disease. The