Health challenges faced by American Indian and Alaskan Native people

Health challenges faced by American Indian and Alaskan Native people

Health challenges faced by American Indian and Alaskan Native people include inadequate medical practitioners making it impossible to attend to all patients. There is no adequate funding that is needed to support the provision of modern medical facilities. The absence of free medical services from some parts of these countries make it impossible for some patients to receive proper medical care. The lack of insurance policies and benefits also make it impossible for most people to acquire medication. Most people from these countries are low-income earners; therefore, they are unable to meet their medical bills. People born in these countries have a life expectancy that is 4.4 years less than the United States, and they, therefore, continue to die at high rates through diseases such as cirrhosis and diabetes (Norton, et al2015). There are various beliefs about causes of illness and healing practices, and these include; ‘our culture is medicine.’ This includes taking herbal medicine and burning a bundled of dried herbs, which are believed as healing measures. They believe traditional indigenous healing is an ancient holistic approach. Traditional healers are believed to possess an inborn gift of healing. They believe falling sick as a sign of things falling apart.

Cultural steps that can help prevent illness in these countries include; cultural competence to educate people on the importance of medication and how to avoid negative cultural beliefs. Train people to increase their skills, awareness, and knowledge, work hand in hand with the traditional healers, involve community health workers in educating people as well as engaging community and family members in decision making to boost health standards, put in place specific cultural values and attitudes to promote health (Achenbach et al2015). Establish local clinics to reach every individual. Also, ensure language competence to ease in the interpretation of health terms. Multicultural evaluation refers to the use of techniques to assess how the health sector is doing. This can be used by emphasizing on harmony, cooperation, and goals. It can also be achieved through appreciating the different cultures in existence and ensuring communal events and practices that will bring all communities together, thus spreading knowledge to all these communities. Also, holding health seminars and training which should be attended by representatives from all the communities (Achenbach et al2015).

References

Norton, I. M., & Manson, S. M. (2015). Research in American Indian and Alaska Native communities: navigating the cultural universe of values and process. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 64(5), 856.

Task Force Members, Montalescot, G., Sechtem, U., Achenbach, S., Andreotti, F., Arden, C., … & Di Mario, C. (2013). 2016 ESC guidelines on the management of stable coronary artery disease: the Task Force on the management of stable coronary artery disease of the European Society of Cardiology. European heart journal, 34(38), 2949-3003.