How Do Asian Beliefs Affect Their Health Care?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Health beliefs can have a profound impact on the clinical care of Asian patients in the United States,

affecting the accuracy of health histories and compliance with treatment recommendations from Western providers

.

How cultural beliefs affect health care?

Cultural health beliefs affect how people think and feel about their health and health problems, when and from whom they seek health care, and how they respond to recommendations for lifestyle change, health-care interventions, and treatment adherence.

What medical problems are common to the Asian culture?

Some negative factors are infrequent medical visits, language and cultural barriers, and lack of health insurance. Asian Americans are most at risk for the following health conditions:

cancer, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries (accidents), and diabetes

.

What are Asian cultural beliefs?

For some Asian groups,

religious beliefs are a core component of their cultural values

. Among Asian Americans, 46% are identified as Christian, 15% as Buddhist, 6% as Hindu, and 2% as Muslim, and two-thirds of Asian Americans describe religion as playing an important role in their lives.

How does Japanese culture affect health?

According to Shintoism,

illness and disease are considered unclean and impure

. Buddhism, however, treats aging and illness as a natural process and many Japanese embrace Buddhism later in life. End of life treatment and funeral rituals are often practiced according to Buddhist beliefs in Japan.

What are Chinese cultures?

Chinese culture is

one of the world’s oldest cultures

, tracing back to thousands of years ago. Important components of Chinese culture includes ceramics, architecture, music, literature, martial arts, cuisine, visual arts, philosophy and religion.

How does religion influence health?

Religiousness, including formal religious affiliation and service attendance, is associated with better health habits, such as

lower smoking rates and reduced alcohol consumption

. Spirituality, including meditation and private prayer, helps regulate emotions, which aids physiological effects such as blood pressure.

How does cultural diversity affect healthcare?

Benefits of Diversity in Healthcare


Increased provider comfort levels

: Studies show that students who have trained at diverse schools are more comfortable treating patients from ethnic backgrounds other than their own. Boosted creativity and innovation: A wide range of perspectives can lead to better solutions.

What are the cultural practices that affect health?

Persistent traditions and cultural practices

These include

initiation, birth and death rites; arranged marriages, female genital mutilation, circumcision and various iterations of cleansing rituals associated with the body and mind

.

Why do Asians live longer?

Abstract. In an international comparison of recent mortality statistics among G7 countries, Japan had the longest average life expectancy, primarily due to

remarkably low mortality rates from ischemic heart disease and cancer

(particularly breast and prostate).

What is the impact of religious views on culture?

Religion influences cultures, but it is also influenced by culture.

Religion can play a big part in the cultural identity of people, influencing how they dress, what and when they eat, and how they behave

.

How does the Japanese healthcare system work?

The health care system in Japan

provides free screening processes for certain diseases, infectious disease control, and prenatal care

. Under the health care system in Japan, the patient accepts responsibility for 30% of the medical costs, and the government pays the remaining 70%.

What is Japan religious beliefs?

Religion in Japan manifests primarily in

Shinto and in Buddhism

, the two main faiths, which Japanese people often practice simultaneously. According to estimates, as many as 80% of the populace follow Shinto rituals to some degree, worshiping ancestors and spirits at domestic altars and public shrines.

What are Japanese cultural beliefs?

According to the Government of Japan,

69.0% of the population practises Shintō, 66.7% practise Buddhism, 1.5% practise Christianity and 6.2% practise other religions

as of 2018. However, people tend to identify with no religion when asked about religious belief.

What are Chinese values and beliefs?

The traditional cultural values that influence the psyche of the Chinese people are

harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety

.

What are China’s values?

The 12 values, written in 24 Chinese characters, are the national values of “prosperity”, “democracy”, “civility” and “harmony”; the social values of “freedom”, “equality”, “justice” and the “rule of law”; and the individual values of “patriotism”, “dedication”, “integrity” and “friendship”.

What is Philippine culture?

The culture of the Philippines comprises

a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia

. The Filipinos are family oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.

How does religion affect health and health communication?

Regular religious practice

lessens depression, promotes self-esteem, and builds familial and marital happiness

. Religious worship also increases longevity, improves an individual’s chances of recovering from illness, and lessens the incidence of many diseases.

How can personal beliefs affect the care of patients?

5 Patients’ personal beliefs may be fundamental to their sense of well-being and

could help them to cope with pain or other negative aspects of illness or treatment

. They may also lead patients to ask for procedures which others may not feel are in their best clinical interests, or to refuse treatment which is.

What role do your beliefs play in regaining your health?

Some research shows a connection between your beliefs and your sense of well being.

Positive beliefs, comfort, and strength gained from religion, meditation, and prayer can contribute to well being

. It may even promote healing. Improving your spiritual health may not cure an illness, but it may help you feel better.

How does culture affect healthcare delivery?

Culture influences healthcare at all levels, including

communications and interactions with doctors and nurses, health disparities, health care outcomes, and even the illness experience itself

. People in some cultures believe illness is the will of a higher power, and may be more reluctant to receive health care.

How do cultural issues affect healthcare cost?

Research shows that a failure of the health care system to keep pace with the diverse cultural and linguistic preferences and needs of patients has contributed to widening disparities leading to

increased medical errors, prolonged lengths of stay, avoidable hospitalizations, and over- and under-utilization of

Why does understanding cultural diversity matter in healthcare?

Diversity in health care matters

Diversity in health care

helps ensure all backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, and perspectives are adequately represented in the medical field

. It’s about providing the best possible care for all patients.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.