1. Discuss the cultural development of the African American and Amish heritage in the United States. 2. What are the cultural beliefs of the African American and Amish heritage related to health care and how they influence the delivery of evidence-based healthcare? APA Style required. NO PLAGIARISM PLEASE Purchase the answer to view it
The cultural development of African American and Amish heritage in the United States has played a significant role in shaping their distinct identities and belief systems. These two communities have distinct cultural backgrounds stemming from different historical contexts and experiences. This essay aims to discuss the cultural development of the African American and Amish heritage, highlighting their cultural beliefs related to healthcare and how these beliefs influence the delivery of evidence-based healthcare.
The African American heritage is deeply rooted in the history of slavery and oppression in the United States. Africans were forcibly brought to America as slaves and endured centuries of systemic racism and discrimination. Despite these challenges, African Americans have developed a rich cultural heritage that draws on various influences, including African traditions, Christianity, and resistance movements such as the civil rights movement. This blend of cultural influences has shaped different aspects of African American life, including their healthcare beliefs and practices.
In the African American culture, health and illness are often seen as interconnected with social and spiritual dimensions. Traditional healing practices, such as herbal medicine and spiritual rituals, are still prevalent in some African American communities. Moreover, there is a strong emphasis on the concept of community and collective well-being. This emphasis on community extends to healthcare, where the support of family and community plays a crucial role in the healing process. African Americans also face unique healthcare challenges, such as higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which necessitate culturally appropriate approaches to healthcare delivery.
The Amish heritage, on the other hand, is rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, which emerged during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation in Europe. The Amish community traces its origins to a group of Swiss Anabaptists who migrated to the United States in the early 18th century to escape religious persecution. The Amish place a strong emphasis on maintaining a distinct identity and living a simple, agrarian lifestyle. This lifestyle is characterized by a rejection of modern technology and a focus on agricultural and manual labor.
In terms of healthcare beliefs, the Amish community holds a unique perspective that is informed by their religious beliefs and cultural practices. The Amish generally prefer natural remedies and home-based healthcare, seeking medical intervention only when absolutely necessary. They place a strong emphasis on self-reliance and community support in times of illness or injury. Additionally, the Amish have a close-knit community structure that fosters cooperation and mutual aid, which extends to their approach to healthcare. This self-sufficient and community-oriented perspective on healthcare influences the Amish’s acceptance and utilization of evidence-based healthcare interventions.
Cultural beliefs related to healthcare within these communities can pose challenges when it comes to the delivery of evidence-based healthcare. Evidence-based healthcare relies on scientific research and clinical expertise to inform healthcare decisions and interventions. It aims to provide the best available evidence to guide healthcare practices and improve patient outcomes. However, cultural beliefs and values can sometimes conflict with evidence-based practices, leading to variations in healthcare utilization and outcomes.
Within the African American community, historical mistrust of the healthcare system due to past injustices and disparities can create barriers to the delivery of evidence-based healthcare. This mistrust has roots in instances such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, where African American men were left untreated to study the progression of the disease. Despite progress made in addressing healthcare disparities, there is still a need for cultural competence and sensitivity in healthcare delivery to ensure the African American community feels understood, respected, and supported.
Similarly, the Amish community’s cultural beliefs and practices can pose challenges for the delivery of evidence-based healthcare. The rejection of modern technology, including medical interventions, may clash with Western medicine’s reliance on technological advancements and interventions. However, the Amish community’s close-knit nature and reliance on traditional remedies and home-based care can also contribute to positive health outcomes. For instance, the strong emphasis on preventative care and healthy lifestyle practices may reduce the need for medical interventions.
To overcome these challenges, healthcare providers need to approach care delivery with cultural competence and sensitivity. This involves understanding and respecting the cultural beliefs and values of African American and Amish patients and incorporating them into healthcare decision-making. It also means tailoring healthcare interventions to meet the unique needs of these communities while still adhering to evidence-based practices. Evidence-based healthcare can be applied more effectively when cultural beliefs and practices are taken into consideration, empowering patients and fostering trust in the healthcare system.
In conclusion, the cultural development of African American and Amish heritage in the United States has shaped their distinct identities and belief systems. These cultural beliefs related to healthcare can influence the delivery of evidence-based healthcare. Understanding and respecting these cultural beliefs is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure culturally appropriate and effective healthcare delivery within these communities. By integrating evidence-based practices with cultural sensitivity, healthcare providers can bridge the gap between cultural beliefs and evidence-based healthcare, ultimately improving health outcomes for African American and Amish populations.