Barriers to Healthcare - Essay Example

? Barriers to Health Care Barriers to Health Care Introduction Barriers to health care refer to obstacles in the health care system that denies the vulnerable patient populations an opportunity to acquire the needed health care. Members of these populations are forced to receive inferior health care services compared to their counterparts. It is fundamental to examine the existing cultural barriers to health care among the youth population of color within the United States (Moss, 2008). As a means of achieving this objective, the investigation analyzes two definite journals. In his journal, Transitions: Serving Youth of Color of 2008, Moss, explores cultural barriers to health care amongst the youths of black origin and offers solutions. In the Journal of Immigrant Health, Documet and Sharma investigate how culture affects access to health care among the youth population in the US (Documet & Sharma, 2009). The major cultural barriers to health care among the youth population of color in the United States According to Moss (2008), the youths of color encounter numerous cultural barriers that hinder their quest for quality health services. Some of the cultural barriers enlisted include acculturation, communication patterns and generalizations. Documet and Sharma identified diversified backgrounds, absence of culturally suitable resources and language barrier as the cultural barriers to quality health care among this population. In acculturation, the youths of color tend to assimilate the behaviors, beliefs and values of their white counterparts; however, this does not play in their favor because they tend to stereotype such cultures. Based on their unique idiomatic use of the language, they are likely to be misunderstood. As a result, they experience adverse emotional and cultural barriers (Beltran, 2011). Documet and Sharma argue that the youths of color in America form the largest group of people without an insurance health cover. This is particularly attributed to the fact that the society’s cultural perspective tend to discriminate against them when it comes to matters pertaining to health care. It is widely believed that their lifestyles and behaviors play a huge role in instituting barriers against them (Documet & Sharma, 2009). To what degree do the articles reflect sensitivity to diverse cultural beliefs and health practices? Moss argues that the society approach to communication about sexuality and health issues is different across age groups, cultural profiles, sexual orientation, geographic locations and the ethnic divisions. As a result, communication patterns pose serious hindrances to health care among the youths of color in the U.S. Besides, it is clear that youths are heterosexual with common cultural backgrounds (Moss, 2008). However, not all youths are heterosexual. This renders the information from this assumption invalid and prone to create further cultural barriers. Furthermore, the health care providers often presume that any single health program initiated will automatically meet all the health needs of the youth population irrespective of their race of ethnic groups. This is untrue because various American groups possess different, unique backgrounds and attitudes towards definite illnesses and health in general. Culture plays an important role in health services acquisition and reception among the youth (Documet & Sharma, 2009). According to Documet and Sharma (2009), past events of historical significance, influence the perception of similar health projects in the future. For example, many black Americans believe that the infamous study on the Tuskegee syphilis was a government conspiracy that had genocidal intentions of stopping further reproduction of the black race. They believe that the government initiated the process to disguise of HIV prevention. As a result, some members of this population are hesitant to use condoms or undertake HIV/AIDS tests for fear that they are targeted by another government conspiracy. In this case, the prevention of pregnancies and HIV/AIDS suffers serious setbacks due to these kinds of cultural barriers. However, not all black races share this ideology (Beltran, 2011). According to Moss, it is fundamental to be sensitive towards the historical background when dispensing health programs to communities (LaVeist & Isaac, 2012). The absence of culturally suitable resources is also a barrier to the acquisition of health services. This is because health clients differ in their perceptions towards some health concepts administered to them. For instance, both the Native Americans and the Navajo people perceive the use of definite materials in HIV prevention differently. While the Native Americans have no problem speaking about HIV and other diseases openly, the Navajo people believe that speaking about a certain disease is equivalent to bringing the disease into existence (LaVeist & Isaac, 2012). Apparently, the health practitioners in the island applied the difference blindness ethics. These ethics require the equal treatment of all patients irrespective of their sexual category, age, spiritual orientation or ethnicity. However, patients in this island have different needs, cultural heritage and concerns that require individual attention and consideration. Unlike the immigrant populations, the natives of the island have a profound fear for hospitals. Instead, they culturally treat their own people using traditional medicine (Documet & Sharma, 2009). The authors argue that definite knowledge about the cultural conditions of a target population is vital for the success of any health care program. This information is instrumental for offsetting the existing cultural barriers (LaVeist & Isaac, 2012). How would you assess the strategies for reducing cultural barriers to adequate health care presented in the articles? The reduction of cultural barriers that hinder the acquisition of quality health care requires the application and use of strategic measures geared towards addressing the difficulties. In his article, Documet and Sharma have laid down various strategies towards this course. In their argument, access to health care requires that persons acknowledge and understand the cultural backgrounds of the clients. Besides, the medical practitioners must ensure that the health care systems are comprehensively coordinated and availed in convenient locations (Documet & Sharma, 2009). This is an appropriate strategy, as it will eventually ensure that the health care professionals are equipped with the relevant information that pertains to the culture of individuals. Moss (2008) acknowledges that engaging in massive advertisements aimed at discouraging the youth cultural stereotyping can enhance health care access among the population. He recommends the use of flyers, posters, business cards and pamphlets. Indeed this is important because most youths relate well with information transmitted through these channels. However, care must be taken not to use unpopular languages for the target population (Moss, 2008). According to Documet and Sharma (2009), the health care practitioners should establish, constantly monitor, and evaluate the services available to the youth. This will ensure that the target population receives care that is of high quality. It is fundamental to conduct baseline studies to ascertain the exact areas affected with cultural barriers (Documet & Sharma, 2009). Additionally, it is necessary to design some heath care institutions in a way that specifically focus the youth’s lifestyles. For instance, the waiting rooms should be equipped with music playing devices. The hospital staffs should receive training on how to treat youths respectfully and privately. This will be successful especially when adequate considerations are given to the diverse cultural backgrounds owing to the fact that most youths love music but of different genres (Moss, 2008). Documet and Sharma suggest the need to set aside special appointment hours between the medical staff and clients who originate from the marginalized populations such as the youth. The youths in America participate in other activities such as schooling during the working days. These special hours should be during the weekends and evenings after school. Additionally, they can extend into the night hours (Documet & Sharma, 2009). Conclusion The health care institutions must ensure that the services are comprehensive to address the cultural and age deviations among the youth population. The people’s perception of cultural differences should not culminate in create cultural barriers. However, it should serve as a source of inspiration in the development of appropriate health care interventions. Regardless of the validity of such a view, it can be difficult to harmonize numerous cultures. Refences Beltran, M. (2011). The Socio-Economic and Cultural Impediments to Well-Being Along the US-Mexico Border. Journal of Community Health, 26.2 , 123-132. Documet, P. I., & Sharma, R. K. (2009). Latinos' Health Care Access: Financial and Cultural Barriers. Journal of Immigrant Health, 6.1 , 5-13. LaVeist, T. A., & Isaac, L. A. (2012). Race, Ethnicity, and Health: A Public Health Reader. San Francisco : Jossey-Bass: John Wiley & Sons. Moss, T. (2008). Barriers to Health Care for Youth of Color. Transitions: Serving Youth of Color, 15.3 , 11-19. Read More