Background: Although the literature in medical anthropology and transcultural psychiatry has documented how cultural representations shape individual experiences and perceptions of psychosocial distress and its management, less attention has been given to what is actually meant when the concept of culture is used in professional practice, and how…

Patients report that adhering to diet is the most challenging aspect of diabetes management. Provision of diet education is often delegated to health care providers, despite a lack of nutrition education and training and limited awareness of environmental and cultural challenges faced by patients. Aim: We examined perceived barriers to diet…

The present study focused on determining how public health workers access and utilize research in their daily practice and how they can better utilize research in order to improve practice, policy, and training as it relates to minority health care. We interviewed 13 community health workers utilizing a semi-structured interview protocol. Data…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people of color, underscoring the importance of equity in the public health response. The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health (DUCIH) is a university-wide center focused on training future practitioners and improving health equity in the Pittsburgh region. DUCIH's initial pandemic…

Efforts to improve cultural competence in pediatric hearing loss services should be informed by evidence of how culture can affect services, yet there is a paucity of research in the field of audiology. The aim of this study was to gain insight into practitioners' experiences with offering early hearing loss services to minority culture families.…

Background: The global phenomenon of migration has dramatically changed the social context in which healthcare professionals operate. European states are facing a growing need to effectively train healthcare professionals to understand and respond appropriately to the diverse needs of migrants and ethnic minorities. While many European Union (EU)…

Research demonstrates consistent racial/ethnic disparities in access to and use of health care services for a variety of chronic conditions. Yet we know little about whether these disparities exist for use of health care services for diabetes management. Racial/ethnic minorities disproportionately suffer from diabetes, complications from diabetes,…

Background: Problem perception and perceived need for professional care are important determinants that can contribute to ethnic differences in the use of mental health care. Therefore, we studied ethnic differences in problem perception and perceived need for professional care in the parents and teachers of 5- to 6-year-old children from the…

Objective: This study examines the levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related stigma among the Iranian population and the factors that contribute to the formation of stigma within the study population. Design: A quantitative research design was used in this research whereby participants completed…

The composition and needs of culturally diverse older populations should encourage hospitals to address the conflicting demands for access and delivery of ethnically sensitive services. Health communication that is patient-centered and provides culturally and linguistically appropriate care has the potential to reduce racial and ethnic health…

Objective: The authors describe the evolution of a novel national training program to develop minority faculty for mental health services research careers. Recruiting, training, and sustaining minority health professionals for academic research careers in mental health services research have proven challenging. Method: Over the past 8 years the…

Studies community services in long-term care used by older minority adults and concludes that the extent to which minority older persons are receiving a proportionate share of services is not consistent across targeted minority populations. The strongest predictors of older minority persons served are staffing patterns and location. (Author)

To improve health, health behaviors, and service provision in ethnic minority populations and communities, increasing the number of minority clinicians, researchers, and involvement of minority individuals in all aspects of health care delivery is essential. (Author)

Efforts to expand diversity in the health professions has received a boost from a prominent member of Congress. U.S. Senator Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, recently introduced a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act as part of a comprehensive initiative to improve the health of minority and other underserved populations. This bill, which is being…

This study presents statistics concerning recent trends in the health care sector and detailed discussions of selected current health issues. The first part of this report consists of four chapters, each covering a current issue. Chapter one presents recent data on the health characteristics of minority groups in the U.S. Chapter two discusses the…