1.Choose two emerging populations, such as Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, or Black/African Americans. How do health issues differ between the two populations? 2. Describe your current knowledge of public health nursing and provide specific examples of public health activities in your community. 1 page each Purchase the answer to view it
1. Introduction
Emerging populations in the United States, such as Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and Black/African Americans, face unique health challenges due to various social, cultural, and economic factors. Understanding the differences in health issues between these populations is crucial for developing effective public health interventions and policies. This paper aims to compare and analyze the health issues of two emerging populations: Latino/Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.
2. Health Issues in Latino/Hispanic Americans
Latino/Hispanic Americans constitute one of the largest and fastest-growing minority groups in the United States. They face a range of health disparities that are influenced by immigration status, cultural beliefs and practices, language barriers, discrimination, and socioeconomic factors. These factors often lead to disparities in access to healthcare, quality of care, and health outcomes.
One significant health issue within the Latino/Hispanic population is obesity and its related co-morbidities. High prevalence rates of overweight and obesity have been observed in this population, primarily due to lifestyle factors such as dietary preferences, sedentary behaviors, and limited access to healthy foods. Obesity predisposes individuals to a multitude of health problems including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Another health concern among Latino/Hispanic Americans is diabetes. This population has a higher prevalence of both type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes compared to other ethnic groups. Contributing factors include genetic predisposition, unhealthy eating habits, insufficient physical activity, and limited health literacy. Lack of access to affordable and culturally competent healthcare further exacerbates the situation, leading to inadequate management and control of diabetes.
Mental health is also an area of concern within the Latino/Hispanic population. Limited access to mental healthcare, language barriers, stigma associated with seeking help for mental health conditions, and acculturation stress contribute to disparities in mental health outcomes. Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions, with higher prevalence rates observed among Latino/Hispanic Americans compared to non-Latino populations.
3. Health Issues in Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) represent a diverse group with a wide range of cultures, languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. As with other emerging populations, AAPIs face unique health challenges influenced by factors such as immigration status, cultural beliefs, social isolation, and limited English proficiency. Disparities in healthcare access, quality of care, and health outcomes are often observed within this population.
Cancer is a prevalent health issue among AAPIs, with variations in incidence rates depending on the specific ethnic group. For example, certain Asian subgroups, such as Vietnamese Americans and Korean Americans, have higher rates of liver cancer due to the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection within these populations. Other common types of cancer among AAPIs include lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.
Hepatitis B is another significant health concern within AAPI communities. Chronic hepatitis B infection affects a disproportionate number of AAPI individuals, primarily due to a higher prevalence of the virus in their countries of origin. Limited awareness, cultural stigma, and language barriers often hinder screening, vaccination, and treatment efforts, leading to higher rates of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.