The Cultural Context and Environmental Context of Population-Based Health Care
"Each of us is a product of a cultural background that influences, often unconsciously, our thoughts, beliefs,
values, attitudes, and behaviors. When we are unaware of the influences of culture on our own behaviors, we
are less able to recognize how our attitudes and behaviors influence others. The more we know about culture
in general, and our own culture in particular, the better able we are to modify our interactions with others to
provide effective care…Similarly, recognition of organizational culture and its influence on practice can help us
modify health care systems to better meet the needs of clients from diverse cultural backgrounds" (Clark, pg
182).
"A viable environment requires sustainable development, which has been defined as 'development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
need'…Community health professionals are concerned with the effects of environmental factors on health and
regularly engage in interventions related to environmental concerns that affect individuals, families, and
population groups. To engage in effective action at all levels, community health professionals must have an
understanding of environmental influence on health" (Clark, pg 229).
Module 4 will delve into culture and cultural principles with specific attention to understanding of traditional
ethnic cultural groups, our own US culture and the health culture and organizational culture where we work as
health professionals and receive health services as clients. Additionally, you will consider elements of the
environment that influence health along with assessment and intervention strategies to support health and a
healthy environment.
Objectives for Module 4
After reading Clark-Chapter 5 and completing related learning activities, you should be able to:
Differentiate among culture, race, nationality, and ethnicity.
Discuss direct and indirect influences of culture on health and health care.
Describe cultural competence.
Identify barriers to cultural competence.
Conduct a cultural assessment of an individual, family, group, or health system.
Design, implement, and evaluate culturally competent care and health care delivery systems.
After reading Clark-Chapter 4 and completing related learning activities, you should be able to:
Describe the interrelationships among environmental factors and human health.
Discuss elements of the natural, built, and social environments that affect population health.
Analyze the role of the community health nurse with respect to environmental health issues at the
individual/family and population levels.
Identify factors in the natural, built, and social environments that influence the health of an individual/family or a
selected population group.
Identify primary prevention measures for environmental issues that affect population health.
Identify secondary and tertiary prevention measures for individuals or populations affected by environmental
health problems.
Sample Solution