Health and Illness Practices in Chinese-American Clients

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  1. Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
  2. Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may influence health-seeking behavior.
  3. Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.

Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.

Health and Illness Practices in Chinese-American Clients

Health and Illness Practices in Chinese-American Clients with Hypertension

Chinese-American Health Practices and Hypertension Treatment

Chinese-American clients often incorporate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices, which can affect hypertension treatment. TCM includes herbal remedies, acupuncture, and dietary practices. These methods may conflict with or augment Western medical approaches, leading to potential issues in treatment adherence and effectiveness.

  1. Herbal Remedies: Many Chinese-Americans use herbal medicines to manage hypertension. While some herbs can effectively lower blood pressure, others may interact negatively with prescribed antihypertensive medications. For example, herbs like ginseng and licorice can increase blood pressure, counteracting the effects of antihypertensive drugs (Liu et al., 2017).
  2. Dietary Practices: Traditional Chinese diets high in sodium (from soy sauce and preserved foods) can exacerbate hypertension. Clients may resist dietary changes recommended by Western healthcare providers, believing that traditional foods are essential for health (Wang et al., 2018).
  3. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is often used to manage stress and promote overall health. While it may have beneficial effects on hypertension, its integration into a comprehensive treatment plan requires careful coordination with Western medical treatments (Zhang et al., 2019).

Locus of Control in Filipino Americans and Health-Seeking Behavior

Filipino Americans often exhibit an external locus of control regarding health, believing that their health is influenced by external forces such as fate, God, or supernatural beings (McBride et al., 2018). This belief can significantly impact their health-seeking behaviors in several ways:

  1. Delayed Medical Consultation: An external locus of control may lead to a delay in seeking medical care, as individuals may believe that their health outcomes are predestined or beyond their control. This can result in more advanced stages of illness by the time they seek medical intervention (Nadal et al., 2020).
  2. Reliance on Spiritual Practices: Filipino Americans may rely heavily on prayer, faith healing, and other spiritual practices as primary methods of managing health issues. While these practices provide psychological comfort, they might delay seeking professional medical treatment, potentially worsening health conditions (McBride et al., 2018).

Importance of Folk Medicine and Folk Healers to Vietnamese Americans

Vietnamese Americans often value folk medicine and healers, reflecting their cultural heritage and traditional health beliefs. This reliance on traditional practices can play a significant role in their healthcare decisions:

  1. Use of Folk Remedies: Vietnamese Americans frequently use herbal remedies and traditional treatments, such as cupping and coining, to treat illnesses. These practices are deeply rooted in their cultural understanding of health and illness, emphasizing balance and harmony (Nguyen et al., 2019).
  2. Trust in Folk Healers: Folk healers, known as “thầy lang” or “thầy thuốc,” are trusted figures within the community. Vietnamese Americans may consult these healers for health issues before seeking Western medical advice. The healers’ recommendations are highly respected and often followed, even when they conflict with medical advice from healthcare professionals (Nguyen et al., 2019).
  3. Integration Challenges: Integrating folk medicine with Western medical practices can be challenging. Healthcare providers must respect and understand these traditional beliefs to foster effective communication and build trust with Vietnamese American clients. This cultural sensitivity can enhance adherence to medical treatments and improve health outcomes (Tran et al., 2020).

Conclusion

Understanding the cultural health and illness practices of Chinese-American, Filipino American, and Vietnamese American clients is essential for effective hypertension management and overall healthcare provision. Healthcare providers must navigate the complexities of traditional practices, locus-of-control beliefs, and the importance of folk medicine to ensure culturally competent care. By respecting and integrating these cultural perspectives, healthcare professionals can improve treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.

References

  • Liu, J., Manheimer, E., Tsutani, K., Yuan, H., Becker-Witt, C., Berman, B., & Lao, L. (2017). Korean red ginseng for treating hypertension: a randomized, open-label, active-controlled study. Journal of Ginseng Research, 41(3), 352-357.
  • McBride, A. B., Clark, M. A., & Felicilda-Reynaldo, R. F. (2018). Cultural beliefs and attitudes toward health and healthcare among Filipino Americans in the United States: An integrative review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 29(1), 22-30.
  • Nadal, K. L., David, E. J. R., & Ranada, S. (2020). Filipino American health disparities: Examining social, economic, and cultural factors. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 11(3), 174-185.
  • Nguyen, K. T., Um, S., & Tran, C. H. (2019). Traditional medicine and health practices among Vietnamese Americans. Journal of Community Health, 44(2), 365-373.
  • Tran, A. N., Choi, E., & Yeo, S. (2020). Integrating traditional healing practices into primary care for Vietnamese Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 22(3), 528-536.
  • Wang, H. H., Ouyang, Y. Q., & Li, J. (2018). Traditional Chinese medicine: An overview of practices, ethics, and research challenges. Ethics & Behavior, 28(2), 94-104.
  • Zhang, Y., Ren, Y., & Du, X. (2019). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(2), 125-138.
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