Open AccessAddressing Health-Related Myths in the Culturally Diverse African American Population: A Call to Action
Author(s) -
Lucson Joseph
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the internet journal of allied health sciences and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1540-580X
DOI - 10.46743/1540-580x/2021.1968
Subject(s) - call to action , mythology , health care , face (sociological concept) , action (physics) , population , health equity , political science , medicine , economic growth , gerontology , public relations , environmental health , sociology , history , business , social science , advertising , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , law , classics
African Americans (AAs) experience numerous challenges that socially, economically, and physically affect their communities. Recent studies have found that a diverse array AAs encounter many struggles as they navigate the United States (U.S.) healthcare system to access care and receive healthcare services. AA communities are significantly affected by the burden of chronic diseases. They face considerable barriers to healthcare services that contribute to adverse health outcomes. This paper explains the daily struggles many AAs face within their communities to access and navigate the healthcare system due to culturally held myths and barriers. This paper discusses commonly held myths among Afro-Caribbean and West Indies populations living within the state of Georgia to suggest a call to action to address health disparities in this population.