Running Head Module 3 SLP

Running Head Module 3 Slp

Analyze how cultural beliefs and practices impact health behaviors among African Americans, particularly in relation to diabetes management. Discuss positive, existential, and negative cultural factors based on the PEN-3 model, and explore how these influence health outcomes. Include specific examples of cultural practices that promote or hinder diabetes control, such as family support, spirituality, faith healing, diet, and nutrition. Conclude with insights into leveraging positive cultural factors to improve health interventions and reduce disease prevalence, supported by scholarly references.

Paper For Above instruction

Addressing health disparities among African Americans, especially concerning diabetes prevalence, necessitates an in-depth understanding of cultural influences on health behaviors. The PEN-3 model provides a culturally centered framework that considers the Positive, Existential, and Negative aspects of culture, emphasizing their roles in health promotion and disease prevention. This model helps healthcare professionals and public health practitioners design culturally appropriate interventions that resonate with the targeted community’s beliefs, values, and practices.

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus poses a significant health challenge among African Americans, with higher prevalence and poorer outcomes compared to other racial groups. Cultural beliefs and practices substantially influence health behaviors, including diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and engagement with healthcare services. The application of the PEN-3 model—a health behavior framework grounded in cultural context—facilitates understanding and leveraging the community’s cultural assets while addressing barriers. The model's tripartite structure of Positive, Existential, and Negative factors offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing cultural determinants that impact diabetes management among African Americans.

Positive Cultural Factors

The first component of the PEN-3 model emphasizes cultural attributes that promote health. Among African Americans, family support and spirituality stand out as potent positive influences on health behaviors. The family unit often plays a central role in health decision-making, providing emotional support, encouragement in lifestyle modifications, and assistance in medication adherence. Research indicates that family involvement in diabetes education can lead to better glycemic control and increased motivation to maintain healthy behaviors (King et al., 2018). For example, family members who understand the importance of diet and exercise can collaboratively foster environments conducive to healthy lifestyles.

Spirituality, deeply rooted in African American communities, offers a sense of hope, purpose, and resilience. Religious faith often encourages behaviors that support health, such as participating in faith-based health programs, engaging in prayer, and seeking spiritual guidance for health challenges (Iwelunmor, Newsome, & Airhihenbuwa, 2014). These spiritual practices can motivate individuals to adhere to medical treatments and participate in community health initiatives, thus positively influencing diabetes outcomes.

Existential Cultural Factors

Existential factors refer to cultural beliefs and practices that are not inherently harmful but are integral to the community’s identity. An example is faith healing, a common practice among some African Americans who believe in divine intervention for health issues. Such beliefs may lead individuals to seek religious healing services instead of or alongside conventional medical treatments (Purcell & Cutchen, 2013). While faith healing can provide psychological comfort, reliance solely on spiritual interventions without medical management may delay treatment, complicating disease control.

Another existential factor involves the tradition of communal eating and food sharing, which is often associated with social cohesion and support. These practices, while enhancing community bonds, can inadvertently contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns if traditional foods are high in sugar, fats, and calories. Recognizing these cultural elements allows health professionals to incorporate culturally appropriate dietary advice that respects tradition while promoting health.

Negative Cultural Factors

Certain cultural practices pose barriers to effective diabetes management. A major negative factor is the consumption of "comfort foods," which are often traditional dishes rich in fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates. These foods are not only culturally significant but also contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes (King et al., 2018). Additionally, socioeconomic factors, including food deserts and limited access to nutritious foods, exacerbate poor dietary habits.

Another negative aspect is misconceptions and mistrust towards the healthcare system rooted in historical injustices and ongoing disparities. Misinformation about diabetes and skepticism about medical interventions can hinder engagement with healthcare services and adherence to treatment plans (Iwelunmor et al., 2014). Addressing these negative cultural practices requires culturally sensitive health education that builds trust and dispels myths while respecting community values.

Strategies for Culturally Tailored Interventions

To effectively reduce diabetes prevalence in African American communities, interventions must harness positive cultural qualities. Incorporating spiritual leaders and faith-based organizations into health promotion efforts can enhance engagement and acceptance. Developing family-centered education programs emphasizes collective responsibility and support, reinforcing positive behaviors.

Furthermore, culturally tailored dietary counseling that acknowledges traditional foods and suggests healthier preparation methods can foster better nutritional choices without dismissing cultural identity. Addressing misconceptions through community-based participatory approaches builds trust and promotes health literacy.

In addition, integrating faith healing practices with medical treatments, where appropriate, can respect cultural beliefs while ensuring effective disease management. Collaboration between healthcare providers and religious leaders has shown promise in improving adherence and health outcomes (Purcell & Cutchen, 2013).

Conclusion

Understanding the multifaceted cultural influences on health behaviors among African Americans is crucial for designing efficacious diabetes interventions. The PEN-3 model offers a valuable framework to identify and utilize positive cultural attributes, acknowledge existential practices, and address negative behaviors. By respecting cultural identity and integrating community strengths into health strategies, healthcare professionals can foster trust, enhance engagement, and ultimately reduce the burden of diabetes in this vulnerable population. Future efforts should emphasize culturally competent care, community involvement, and continuous evaluation to sustain positive health outcomes.

References

• Iwelunmor, J., Newsome, V., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2014). Framing the impact of culture on health: a systematic review of the PEN-3 cultural model and its application in public health research and interventions. Ethnicity & Health, 19(1), 20-46.
• King, C. J., Moreno, J., Coleman, S. V., & Williams, J. F. (2018). Diabetes mortality rates among African Americans: A descriptive analysis pre and post Medicaid expansion. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 20-24.
• Purcell, N., & Cutchen, L. (2013). Diabetes self-management education for African Americans: Using the PEN-3 model to assess needs. American Journal of Health Education, 44(4), 226-234.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). National Diabetes Statistics Report. CDC.
• Anderson, R. M., & Funnell, M. M. (2010). Compliance and adherence in diabetes care. Diabetes Educator, 36(1), 41-43.
• Campbell, N., & Wiliams, A. (2015). Cultural competence in healthcare: An ethical imperative. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 24(3-4), 243-258.
• Hacker, K., et al. (2016). The role of spirituality in health promotion. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 10(4), 255-258.
• Resnicow, K., Baranowski, T., & Ahluwalia, J. (1999). Cultural sensitivity in health education: An emerging perspective. Health Education & Behavior, 26(5), 593-607.
• Wong, C. A., & Lund, J. P. (2020). Community-based approaches to diabetes management: Incorporating cultural factors. Public Health Nursing, 37(2), 180-189.
• Giacco, R., & Brownlee, M. (2016). Glycemic control and implications for the diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology, 8, 29-36.