Health care problem
In the US, racial and ethnic minorities experience considerable disparities in health care services. According to Fiscella and Sanders (2016), ethnic minorities have limited access to preventative care, chronic disease control, hospitalization, obstetrician care, and behavioral healthcare. In particular, American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) people have higher rates of chronic disease, injury, and premature death than the general population (Williams, Kaigler, Armistad, Espey, & Struminger, 2019). The representative of this population are more likely to be obese, have diabetes, and smoke than Hispanic and white counterparts (Williams et al., 2019). The principles of evidence-based practice need to be applied to address the needs of the identified population.
Decision
AI and AN’s health problems are to be addressed by organizing community programs promoting patient education in smoking cessation and healthy nutrition. The initiative is to consider the traditional and worldview peculiarities of the population to ensure the best outcomes (Swihart & Martin, 2019). Additionally, leadership, technical assistance, and resources are to be provided to AI and AN tribes in each administrative area of the Indian Health Service (Williams et al., 2019). The intervention is expected to improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
References
Fiscella, K., & Sanders, M. (2016). Racial and ethnic disparities in the quality of health care. Annual Review of Public Health, 37(1), 375-394. Web.
Swihart, D, & Martin, R. (2019). Cultural, religious competence in clinical practice. Web.
Williams, S., Kaigler, A., Armistad, A., Espey, D., & Struminger, B. (2019). Creating a public health community of practice to support American Indian and Alaska Native communities in addressing chronic disease. Preventing Chronic Disease, 16. Web.