Global, Environmental and Cultural Aspects of Health

Global, Environmental, and Cultural Aspects of Health

One of the factors that affect health is culture, and therefore, all cultural aspects have to be considered when developing and implementing health policies. Culture influences health in terms of beliefs, practices, and the foods eaten. Some social ideas affect the delivery of health services, especially those related to modern medicine. In some cultures, it is believed that outbreaks of certain infections are a curse, and therefore, no current medical intervention should be implemented. Understanding the culture of a specific group is important in developing the best policies and strategies to deal with health problems in society. The measles outbreak and control in the USA are affected by the culture of the immigrants and people living in the outbreak areas. The cultural beliefs and practices of the Mexicans, who are the majority of immigrants, prevent the spread of the infection or increase the spread of the disease.

Cultural and religious beliefs regarding measles and strategies to control the spread of measles affect its reach and control. Some people among the Mexicans believe that the Measles outbreak is a curse or punishment to people due to their wrongs. Therefore, people who believe this seek no vaccination against measles, which increases the spread of the infection. Some religions in which people belong are against any form of vaccination as they believe that God protects them (Hooper, 2020, July). In some cases, people think that those with measles are cursed and should be isolated from other members of society, which helps prevent the spread of measles (Davis & Mbabazi, 2017). Beliefs and practices encouraging the spread of measles include preventing people from vaccinating and seeking medical attention. However, ideas such as the isolation of people and the ex-communication of those affected may prevent the spread of measles in the community (Davis & Mbabazi, 2017).

Gender roles in the community are influenced by culture and affect access to health services. In most societies, especially among the Mexicans, culture depicts that it is a man who should make the decisions in a family (Davis & Mbabazi, 2017). The head of the family is the father, and he is the one to make important decisions, such as seeking medical care. Measles outbreaks may be high in families where fathers decide not to allow their family members to seek medical help. In some cases, the fathers may refuse their children to be vaccinated against measles, increasing their risk of contracting the infection (Davis & Mbabazi, 2017). Therefore, gender roles limit other members of the community from making sound decisions regarding the prevention and control of measles.

Different cultures have different beliefs on various aspects of health, such as pain. The best example is the perception of pain and suffering. Measles among children may lead to pain and suffering, which is perceived differently among Mexicans and white Americans. Mexicans and white Americans cannot tolerate pain, and therefore, they seek immediate medical attention or preventive measures (Davis & Mbabazi, 2017). Thus, the uptake of measles vaccination is high among the Hispanians and the Caucasians because they fear pain and suffering. The other health belief is the belief in modern medicine and the use of technology (Hooper, 2020, July). Most white Americans are well-educated and, therefore, believe in modern medicine. Therefore, any current strategy designed to control the outbreak and spread of Measles infection is likely to be accepted by many people in the community.

PEN-3 Domains	Positive	Negative	Existential
Cultural Identity P E N	In most cases, relatives of the people infected with measles do not leave the person but instead stand with the person in all situations, including treatment and management.	A measles outbreak in the community is seen as a curse or punishment. Therefore, relatives close to a person infected with measles feel ashamed to be associated with the person.	The relative to the person will try and provide all the support they can for a person infected with measles and prevent the spread of measles in the family.
Relationships  P E N	To bring close relationships with the person or child infected with measles, the parents and relatives will always be close to the patient, support the patient socially, and provide all essential needs.	In some cases, the members may reject those infected with measles and avoid providing any support to the relative due to the belief that it is a curse. Total isolation of the person from family members leads to a poor relationship, which affects the patient psychologically.	The relatives and family members try to stand with their affected relatives where they provide all the needs and support needed for a quick recovery.
Cultural Empowerment P E N	In this case, relatives or members of the family provide care for their loved ones, especially children and spouses affected. Relevant costs are paid.	The culture brands those affected by measles as outcasts. Therefore, the relatives may refuse any intervention to help the person or prevent the spread of measles in the community.	Relatives in some cultures tend to take precautions to prevent the spread of measles. They also tend to care for the infected with measles in the right way to prevent the spread of the infection.

References

Davis, R., & Mbabazi, W. B. (2017). Challenges to global measles eradication: is it all in the timing? The Pan African Medical Journal, 27(Suppl 3). doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2017.27.3.12553

Heywood, A. E. (2018). Measles: a re-emerging problem in migrants and travelers. https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/tay118

Hooper, V. (2020, July). Misinformation in the 2019 Samoan Measles Epidemic: The Role of the Influencer. In Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Social Media (pp. 112-118).

Iwelunmor, J., Newsome, V., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2014). Framing the impact of culture on health: A systematic review of the PEN-3 cultural model and its application in public health research and interventions. Ethnicity & Health, 19(1), 20-46. doi:10.1080/13557858.2013.857768

Tyldesley, A. (2021). Preventing measles outbreaks: a global health challenge. Primary Health Care, 31(3). doi: 10.7748/phc.2020.e1654

Yick, A. G., & Oomen-Early, J. (2009). Using the PEN-3 model to plan culturally competent domestic violence intervention and prevention services in Chinese-American and immigrant communities. Health Education, 109(2), 125-139. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09654280910936585

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Global health is about the worldwide improvement of health, reduction of disparities, and protection against global threats that disregard national borders. Regardless of where people live, their cultures and environments influence their health behaviors. In this assignment, you will explore concepts of Global, Environmental, and Cultural Aspects of Health as they relate to an outbreak among your specific target immigrant population.

Case Assignment

Construct a table using the PEN-3 Model as your framework to identify cultural influences on health that you must consider in addressing the prevention and management of the outbreak among your chosen population.
Remember to include cultural factors that increase the occurrences of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks among your population, as well as cultural factors that influence vaccination adherence.
See the table example provided.
Note that in the column on the left, you must add what the P, E, and N represent within each domain and address each one.
PEN-3 Domains

Positive

Negative

Existential

Cultural Identity
P
E
N

Relationships
P
E
N

Cultural Empowerment
P
E
N