Cultural Hypertension Influences
Caring for Chinese, Filipino, & Vietnamese Populations
After studying Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following:
- Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
- Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may influence health-seeking behavior.
- Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
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Cultural Influences on Hypertension Treatment
Hypertension management among Chinese-American clients can be complicated by traditional health beliefs. Many may use herbal remedies or acupuncture alongside prescribed medication. These practices can sometimes interfere with treatment adherence or cause adverse interactions (Lu et al., 2022). Additionally, cultural stigma around chronic illness may lead some clients to underreport symptoms or delay seeking care. Understanding these beliefs allows healthcare providers to tailor education and encourage compliance respectfully.
Filipino Americans often exhibit an external locus of control, believing that health outcomes are influenced by fate or divine will (Sanchez & Smith, 2021). This perspective may reduce proactive health behaviors and delay medical consultation. Healthcare providers can improve engagement by incorporating culturally relevant counseling that acknowledges spiritual beliefs while emphasizing personal responsibility in hypertension management.
Folk Medicine and Vietnamese Health Beliefs
Folk medicine plays a vital role in Vietnamese-American health practices, with folk healers serving as trusted community figures. Traditional methods include herbal treatments, spiritual rituals, and massage therapy, which many Vietnamese patients use alongside Western medicine (Tran & Nguyen, 2023). Recognizing the importance of these practices helps healthcare providers build rapport and integrate care plans that respect patients’ cultural backgrounds. It also aids in identifying potential conflicts or complementary effects between folk remedies and prescribed treatments.
In conclusion, cultural factors significantly affect hypertension treatment among Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese populations. Healthcare providers must understand and respect these cultural influences to foster effective communication, improve treatment adherence, and achieve better health outcomes.
