Health Assessment for Three families

Countries and Cultural Diversity

Countries around the world are witnessing a high level of ethnic and cultural variety. A heritage evaluation is critical in relaying likely solutions that may prevent future diseases and health difficulty to people who have migrated to other countries. This is due to the fact that various families have diverse histories and lifestyles. While many cultural and behavioral patterns may be similar and others heterogeneous, all cultures have their unique ideas about what causes and heals disease.

African Descent and Health Concerns

According to the history of their grandparents, the first family interviewed appears to be of African descent. Owing to the fact that the children attend government sponsored schools, there is likelihood that they are not financially well-off; hence they opt living-off fast-foods – which are cheaper than other healthy diets. Fast-food stores in the United States primarily focus on the black-American population due to the poverty indicator. Additionally, due to the change in weather and location, African Americans are under the risk of contracting pneumonia and chest complications due to exposure to reduced temperatures. The family members will have to buy winter clothing and integrate a natural concoction of hot water, lemon, ginger, garlic and honey in order to boost their immunity during winter.

Herbal Medicine and Psychosocial Support

Owing to the fact that the first respondents are from Africa, and more specifically, Tanzania - which is located within the tropics and within the African region, there is a need of integrating herbal medicine and new age medicine techniques. This is because most Africans during their lifetime interact with herbal medication which improves their immunity (Abubakar et al,. 2013). An additional significant area that requires attention is the psychosocial support system that the African family lacks. Immigrants who have recently moved into a new area struggle to establish communication with their kin due to obvious financial reasons. Exploration of the immediate neighborhood through a meet-and-greet casual arrangement will allow the family to raise more healthy children who are sociable and interactive.

Religion, Ethnicity, and Health Beliefs

While the spouses indicated that they share the same religion, there is reduced integration between them and the wider public due to the fact that they do not participate in ethnic activities but they put up in a neighborhood where their neighbors are not of the same religion and ethnic background. Beliefs of health within a given culture are pointers that lead to an improved understanding cultural competence for a provider of healthcare. Perceptions greatly influence access and treatment in health care (Akpenpuun J, 2014). The second family interviewed is Muslim. They prepare traditional food and actively participate in traditional events – including holiday celebrations and festivals. While most Muslim faithful prefer diet rich in oils, fatty oils are leading causes of cardio-affiliated complications. There is a high chance that the family also savor meals prepared with lots of oil. A healthy vegetable diet should be integrated in order to improve on immunity levels. Families subscribe to certain diets owing to the influence of traditional cultures. While wives greatly influence the uptake of certain foods within a family, their influence cannot be assumed due to the fact that they prepare the food for their children who then grow up enjoying their mother’s preference.

Periodic Fasting and Health

Another element that comes strongly with the second family is the periodic fasting program that they have embraces. Muslims usually fast and pray during the periods of Ramathan and Eid al- Firt. The holy month is an opportunity for the families to break away from normal eating habits and only eat one meal a day. While there are varied health concerns that are associated with periodic fasting, fasting is good for ones health. However, the compensation of food is highly discouraged. Overfeeding has negative effects on the digestion and nutritional intake activity of an individual. Upon approaching such programs, the family needs to embrace healthy habits like drinking water periodically within the fast in order to improve on digestion when eating. While fasting should be strictly adhered to, persons who have ulcers need to understand their bodily requirements and eat small portions of food.

Marriage, Polygamy, and Infectious Diseases

A significant element of muslim culture is marriage. While marriages in the muslim culture are ideally polygamous, with the onset of sexually transmitted infections, there is need for spouses to use protective measures while procreating or engaging in marital relations. The danger with polygamous marriages is that a spouse may transmit the infections to the entire household without their knowledge. HIV/AIDS is equally a scourge that can be transmitted through sexual relations and with indiscriminate sex with persons who are infected with HIV/AIDS.

Mexican Culture and Eating Habits

The third family is Mexican. They take part in cultural traditions and seem to be from a well-off – considering that they studied in private schools. In the United States, private schools are often expensive and only attract citizens who are of high cadres and pay grades. For Mexican immigrants to study in such settings, they certainly must be well-off. The family however does not subscribe to any religion, nor does it observe any religious activities. In view of this, Mexicans prefer a diet that is rich in meat and whisky. This family subscribes to this diet considering Mexicans are well known for their drinking habits. Essentially, if they were of any protestant faith, they would have reservations on taking alcohol as many protestant churches do not promote alcohol intake. Additionally, the uncontrolled intake of meat avails opportunistic infections like heart disease. There is little variety of foods for them therefore; there is a risk of malnutrition – not because they cannot afford a proper diet but because their lifestyles are accommodative of risky eating choices.

Overall Health Risks and Strategies

In analyzing all families studied, there are health related risks that each family incurs due to their dominant observance of religion and culture. Healthy eating habits and religious practices are important in improving lifestyles and health indicators. It is imperative for families to embrace balanced diets and to maintain eating patterns that are not detrimental to their health. While fasting is occasionally good for the body for the purpose of improving digestion, it is important for ulcers patients to take minute portions of food as a way of averting more complications.

References

Akpenpuun Joyce, R. (2014). Influence of Religious Beliefs on Healthcare Practice. International Journal Of Education And Research, 2(4), 37-48.

Walton M., L., Akram, F., & Ferdosi, H. (2014). for Health Care Providers: Exploratory Study on the Health Beliefs of Muslim Women. Online Journal Of Health Ethics, 10(2), 1-36.

Abubakar A, Van Baar A, Fischer R, Bomu G, Gona JK, Newton CR (2013) Socio-Cultural Determinants of Health-Seeking Behaviour on the Kenyan Coast: A Qualitative Study. PLoS ONE 8(11): e71998. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071998