How Culture Impacts Health: The Hispanic Narrative

Abstract

The Hispanic population is the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States, and is disproportionately impacted by health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and unintentional injuries. Factors contributing to these disparities include cultural practices, lack of access to health care, language barriers, and a lack of cultural competence by health-care providers. Family, religion, and gender roles play an essential part in the cultural heritage of Hispanic people, which heavily impacts health outcomes in this population. Nurses must be knowledgeable about the impact of culture on health to dismantle racial/ethnic health disparities and deliver equitable and high-quality care to individuals, families, and communities. This narrative aims to introduce some fundamental cultural factors and beliefs in the Hispanic culture that impact health. It also seeks to provide insights into culturally sensitive practices, to promote quality nursing care and address health disparities within this population.