Hello Duren,

Cultural differences affect how healthcare professionals can provide culturally-competent

care. As you have demonstrated, the history of African Americans has affected how they

consume healthcare services and their perceptions of health interventions. In fact, Taylor

(2019) point out that the historical experiences have created inequalities that have had a

significant disproportionate effect in African Americans, including uneven access to

healthcare services, low insurance coverage, and poor health outcomes. Cultures always

develop progressively through learning and experiences. As you have opined, African

Americans have mistrust on governments since the Tuskegee experiments. Such distrusts

adversely affect their use of healthcare services, compliance levels, and engagement with

providers. A healthcare provider caring for African Americans should therefore focus on

understanding the sources of distrust of African Americans on the American healthcare

system and implement strategies to address and improve the trust levels.

Reference

Taylor, J. (2019). Racism, Inequality, and Health Care for African Americans. The Century

Foundation. https://tcf.org/content/report/racism-inequality-health-care-african-americans/?

agreed=1

Hi Dorsainville, African Americans, just like other ethnic groups have distinct cultural values

and beliefs which impact their health practices. When caring for this population, it is

important to consider their beliefs on traditional healers, cultural values and attitudes, and

their lifestyles. Other than these issues, it is also important for a healthcare provider to

consider historical injustices that have been a part of the African American culture.

According to Churchwell et al. (2020) understanding historical context and current state of

structural racisms towards African Americans and its implications on health and wellbeing of
this population is essential in providing culturally competent care. Identifying such factors is

important when providing healthcare as it ensures that specific issues are addressed and that

the population has a positive experience with the provider which promotes better outcomes.

References

Churchwell, K., Elkind, M. S., Benjamin, R. M., Carson, A. P., Chang, E. K., Lawrence,

W., ... & American Heart Association. (2020). Call to action: structural racism as a

fundamental driver of health disparities: a presidential advisory from the American Heart

Association. Circulation, 142(24), e454-e468.

Gabriel, I enjoyed reading your post in which you have demonstrated a deep understanding of

the African culture, its implications on health, and an approach to providing culturally-

competent care. As described by Weinstein et al. (2017), African Americans experience

significant disparities which impact their overall health status and outcomes. Understanding

the causes of these disparities is important in addressing them. As you have demonstrated,

demonstrating fairness, and avoiding negative assumptions and prejudice is important in

meeting the cultural challenges that face African Americans. Providing culturally competent

care requires a deep understanding of culture and this implies understanding historical

racism, prejudice, and involvement African Americans in clinical tests without their consent.

Such issues have adverse effects on health and addressing them would improve outcomes for

this population.

Reference

Weinstein, J. N., Geller, A., Negussie, Y., & Baciu, A. (2017). Communities in action:

pathways to health equity. Communities in action: pathways to health equity.