Asian and Pacific Islander populations 

From this week's learning module, I have learned key concepts on Asian and Pacific Islander populations (API). First, API is a multicultural population, and the diversity has created multicultural health. Despite the fact that they are all Asians, they rely on the beliefs that they originated from different areas. I understand the diversity of health care rooted from the assumption that the cultures, health, and illness vary. I also understand that some Asian ethnic subgroup suffers while others live a happy life solely because of racial and ethnic disparities (NHI, N.D).The disparity does not only affect the health care system, but it also undermines the communities. Unless the subgroups work together, they will experience an extremely difficult life.

One thing that I did not know about the API populations is that because the different Asian nation group with diverse cultural background and different historical experiences, it is difficult to generalize. In other words, the Asian group has contrasts and contraction, and it is not possible to make the cultural generalization in trying to understand the cultural difference (NHI, N.D).  For example, in the case immigration, they were driven by different factors such as economic opportunity, better education freedom from violence and starvation for many reasons.

 In addressing social issues and health, the health care providers should understand the historical stereotype, myths and traditional values in providing health care. By understanding the stereotypes, they should abolish them since people should not bring their cultural health beliefs in the health care system (Salant & Lauderdale, 2003).  Health care providers should ensure that cultural values and multicultural influences should not act as a barrier to quality health care and social opportunities.  Health care providers should recognize the cultural diversity, and through recognition, it will be easier for subgroups to understand and value different cultures.

 

 

Reference

 

Office of Minority Health, NHI. (N.D). API health issues         

 

Salant T.,& Lauderdale DS. (2003). Measuring Culture: A critical Review of Acculturation and Health in

Asian Immigration Population. Us National Library Of Medicine National Insitute Of Health, 

57(1):71-90