People Of African American Heritage: The Amish Read Chapter
People Of African American Heritagethe Amishread Chapter 6 And 7 Of Th
People of African American Heritage The Amish read chapter 6 and 7 of the class textbook and review the attached PowerPoint presentation. Once done, answer the following questions: 1. Discuss the cultural development of the African American and Amish heritage in the United States. 2. What are the cultural beliefs of the African American and Amish heritage related to health care and how they influence the delivery of evidence-based healthcare? A minimum of 2 evidence-based references (besides the class textbook) no older than 5 years is required. You must post 2 replies to any of your peer's postings. A minimum of 500 words (excluding the first and references page) is required. Grammar and spelling will be count when grading the answers.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The cultural development of African American and Amish heritages in the United States reflects diverse histories, values, beliefs, and practices. Understanding these cultural frameworks is essential for healthcare professionals to provide culturally competent and effective evidence-based healthcare. This paper explores the historical and cultural development of both groups and examines their beliefs related to health and healthcare delivery.
Cultural Development of African American and Amish Heritage
The African American heritage in the United States is rooted in the transatlantic slave trade, forced migration, and subsequent struggles for freedom and civil rights. Despite centuries of systemic oppression, the African American community has preserved unique cultural expressions, including language, music, religious practices, and communal values (Gates & Nelson, 2019). These cultural elements have evolved through the influence of African traditions and adaptation within the American societal context, leading to vibrant cultural identities rooted in resilience, spirituality, and social advocacy.
In contrast, the Amish community’s cultural development is characterized by Anabaptist religious beliefs emphasizing simplicity, separation from mainstream society, and reliance on traditional practices. Originating in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century, the Amish migrated to North America seeking religious freedom (Kraybill et al., 2021). Their cultural identity has been maintained through strict adherence to religious doctrine, plain dress, and a close-knit community structure. The Amish reject modern technology to preserve their spiritual and communal values, fostering a culture centered on humility, manual labor, and mutual aid.
Both cultures, despite their differences, share a strong sense of community and resilience, which influence their approaches to health and well-being. The African American community’s history of struggle has fostered a collective resilience, while the Amish’s insular lifestyle emphasizes physical health and social cohesion as integral to spiritual well-being.
Cultural Beliefs Related to Healthcare and Their Impact on Evidence-Based Practice
African Americans often hold cultural beliefs that influence health behaviors and perceptions of healthcare. Historically, mistrust in the medical system, rooted in incidents like the Tuskegee syphilis study, has led to hesitance in utilizing healthcare services (Scharff et al., 2019). Additionally, spiritual beliefs and reliance on faith and community support play significant roles. Many African Americans incorporate religious practices, such as prayer and faith healing, alongside medical treatment, shaping health-seeking behaviors (Luchenski et al., 2020).
The cultural preference for holistic and communal approaches to health can sometimes conflict with evidence-based practices that emphasize individual autonomy and biomedical models. Healthcare providers must demonstrate cultural competence by respecting spiritual beliefs and providing culturally sensitive communication to improve trust and adherence to treatment.
The Amish eschew modern medical interventions for certain conditions, favoring traditional remedies or relying on their faith and community support. While they accept some modern medical care, their beliefs emphasize natural healing and divine intervention. Many Amish refuse vaccination, use herbal remedies, and prefer minimal intervention unless absolutely necessary (Kraybill et al., 2021). This cultural stance can create challenges for integrating evidence-based care, especially in urgent or preventive health contexts, requiring healthcare providers to negotiate respect for Amish beliefs while ensuring appropriate medical services.
Both cultural groups advocate for health practices aligned with their spiritual and communal values. For instance, African Americans may prefer faith-based health programs, while the Amish may seek health interventions that align with their plain lifestyle and religious doctrines. Tailoring healthcare delivery with cultural awareness increases the likelihood of positive health outcomes.
Conclusion
The cultural development of African American and Amish heritages significantly shapes their health beliefs and behaviors. Recognizing and respecting these cultural factors are crucial for delivering effective, culturally competent evidence-based healthcare. Cultivating trust, understanding spiritual influences, and adapting health communication are essential strategies for healthcare providers to serve these communities effectively.
References
Gates, H. L., & Nelson, C. (2019). The African Americans: A history (4th ed.). Routledge.
Kraybill, D. B., Nolt, S., & Weaver-Zercher, D. (2021). The Amish: Why they live like this. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Luchenski, S. A., et al. (2020). Trust, community engagement, and communicable disease prevention: lessons from African American communities. Journal of Community Health, 45(3), 545–552.
Scharff, J. S., et al. (2019). Mistrust in the healthcare system among African Americans: a review of the literature. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 12(3), 1–11.