AFRICAN AMERICANS Ethical racial Identity African Americans Blacks
AFRICAN AMERICANS
Ethical – racial Identity ▪ African Americans “Blacks” are people having ancestries from Africa (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). ▪ According to 2010 Census – 13. 6% of the total U. S. population is African American (Edelman, et al. , 2014). ▪ African Americans are the second largest minority population in the U. S. today (Edelman, et al. , 2014). ▪ African Americans are considered a minority group dating back to the time period of slavery (Edelman, et al. , 2014). ▪ Most Africans Americans are assimilated to the Anglo. American Culture (Edelman, et al. , 2014). www. Visualphotos. com
History & Value Orientation ▪ Values reflected in social practices is based on the extended family and kinship. ▪ African Americans have a strong respect for their elders and family unity. ▪ They have a strong religious orientation. ▪ African Americans - utilize the church and the community as a support network. ▪ They have a strong sense of pride and take care of their own. ▪ Poverty impacts healthcare, self-esteem, education, lifestyle and quality of life throughout their lifespan. ▪ They tend to keep problems hidden within the family system for the fear of being embarrassed or disgraced. (Huntsville Madison County Public Library 2016)
Language - communication Process ▪ During the times of slavery African Americans used songs to communicate their feelings, planned activities, secrets and experiences of past and present. ▪ Today these songs and expressive dance rituals are revered as an important part of history and continue to be monumental in conveying their culture. ▪ Non-verbal communication such as prolonged eye contact during a conversation is often considered inappropriate and viewed as a sign of confrontation and aggressiveness. ▪ Asking personal questions of someone you have just met is seen as improper and intrusive. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014)
Health Beliefs & Healing Practices ▪ Older women are revered as knowledgeable healers concerning folk remedies and childcare (Edelman, et al. 2014). ▪ Spiritualist – assist with financial, personal, spiritual and physical problems (Edelman, et al. 2014). ▪ Voodoo priest/priestess – are knowledgeable on herbs signs and omens. (Edelman, et al. 2014). ▪ They believe in the healing power of prayer (Jones, 2002). ▪ Church and spirituality play an important role in health issues (Jones, 2002). www. visualphotos. com
Religious Beliefs & Spirituality ▪ “Black worship supplied slaves with effective psychological and emotional medicine to combat slavery's decimation of their sense of being and worth” ▪ African Americans look to their pastor’s to provide comfort and healing. ▪ Family members such as the elders are consulted for old traditional remedies such as herbs, roots, oils, rituals, and ceremonies to heal the sick. www. Visualphotos. com ▪ Natural remedies are frequently used – prayer and the laying of hands are used for healing. (Jones, 2002)
Lifecycle Events ▪ Births ▪ Acceptance depends on economic status. ▪ Considered to be a state of wellness ▪ This thought process often times delays seeking medical care. ▪ Older female relatives are role models during pregnancy, childbearing, and motherhood ▪ Marriage ▪ During the era of slavery, slaves were forbidden to marry Anna Spencer Photography ▪ Jumping a broom became the tradition to publicly declare a couples’ union. This tradition is used today to honor their past, the “broom now represents the sweeping away of all past problems” ▪ Often times African traditions are melded with modern day attire. ▪ Libation ceremony, holy water or alcohol and poured out in each of the Cardinal direction (North, South, East, West). , and prayers are recited while names of deceased are called out ▪ Death ▪ strong religious and spiritual belief systems and the network of extended family help cope with death. ▪ sharing feelings with family, utilizing faith and the church help to cope with crisis and change. ▪ Praying, scripture reading, and involvement in church activities strengthens the relationship with God and sustains families during difficult times. (Huntsville Madison County Public Library, 2016)
Nutritional Behavior & Diet ▪ Lack of nutritional knowledge and appropriate portions (Lee, 2013). ▪ Acceptance of a body size larger than within normal limits (Lee, 2013). ▪ African Americans have the highest rate of obesity ▪ 51% prevalence of obesity compared to whites ▪ African Americans have fewer supermarkets than white communities (Leadership for Healthy Communities, 2014). ▪ African American parents report 30. 6 % cite a lack of opportunities for physical activity due to lack of transportation, expense, and safety, compared with only 13. 4% of white parents (Leadership for Healthy Communities, 2014). http: //www. choosemyplate. gov/My. Plate
Medical – Health Care Access & Experience ▪ Families that live at or below the poverty level have limited access and resources to healthcare services. ▪ Delayed care leads to increase mortality rates, malnutrition, anemia, delayed immunizations, and delayed preventative care. ▪ Leading cause of death amongst African Americans are heart disease, cancer and stroke. ▪ African Americans without a regular doctor are less likely to receive preventative services such as physical exams, therefore leads to less confident in and satisfied with their care. Ionenewsone. files. wordpress. com ▪ Older African Americans may be suspicious of their health care provider because of previous experiences of past generations such as the Tuskegee experiment. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014)
Common Health Problem / Potential Primary Level of Health Promotion Interventions Common Health Problem ▪ Obesity ▪ Diabetes ▪ Hypertension ▪ Cancer ▪ Cardiovascular Disease PRIMARY LEVEL OF PREVENTION ▪ Nutritional and exercise counseling at local church ▪ Educate families on healthy eating for a healthy weight by utilizing free tools available on the internet such as Choose My. Plate. gov. ▪ Advocate and educate diabetes prevention in the community ▪ Advocate for the community to advertise and promote the Healthiest Weight Florida Program. ▪ Educate community of health risk factors and preventative measures for cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke. (Healthiest Weight, 2016)
References Edelman, C. L. , Kudzma, E. C. , & Mandle, C. L. (2014). Health promotion throughout the life-span, (8 th ed. ). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Mosby. Healthiest Weight. (2016). What’s new for healthiest weight Florida? Retrieved from http: //www. healthiestweightflorida. com/index. htm Huntsville Madison County Public Library. (2016). Celebrating African American culture & history. Retrieved from: http: //guides. hmcpl. org/African. American. History Jones, C. (2002). African-American worship: It’s heritage, character, and quality. Ministry International Journal of Pastors. Retrieved from: https: //www. ministrymagazine. org/archive/2002/09 african-america-worship-itsheritage-character-and-quality. html Leadership for Healthy Communities. (2014). Overweight and obesity among African American youths. Retrieved from: http: //www. leadershipforhealthycommunities. org/resource/overweight-andobesity-among-african-american-youths.
References Lee, M. (2013). Obesity, lifestyles and African –Americans, What are the correlations? . IM Diversity. Retrieved from http: //imdiversity. com/villages/african/obesity Stanhope, M, . & Lancaster, J. (2014). Foundations of nursing in the community: Community-oriented practice. (4 th ed. ). St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Mosby. United States Department of Agriculture. (2016, January 7). My Plate. Retrieved from http: //www. choosemyplate. gov/My. Plate
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