Culturally Sensitive Healthcare for Newcomer Immigrants

Introduction

Most Western countries have experienced a drastic increase in the number of immigrants and refugees (Coppel, Dumont & Visco, 2001; Leininger & McFarland, 2006; & Westberg, Bumgardner, Melissa, Lind, & Patricia, 2005). Specific findings by Westberg et al (2006), indicated that immigrants made up 11.5% of the United States population and that approximately 1.5 million immigrants arrived each year. Noteworthy is the fact that, though the highest numbers of immigrants in the United States come from Mexico and other Hispanic-speaking regions, the first group of immigrants were from the Northern continent of Europe. Other regions of the world that are represented by the immigrants and refugees in America and many Western countries include: Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union.

Despite the fact that most immigrants and refugees leave their home countries in good health (Fowler, 1998), and with myriad hopes and expectation (Bailey, 2002), it is unfortunate because their health seems to deteriorate over time. They seem to encounter numerous health access barriers, mental and emotional health related challenges as they acculturate and integrate into their new culture and environment (Bailey, 2002). Their acculturation and their ability to access health care has remained complex due to cultural and language related challenges. Unfortunately, this insurgent increase in health access barriers has been linked to the lack of cross culturally competent and sensitive front line workers, health care providers, policies and health care environments. Though the solutions to these problems may be complex, long –term, and multifaceted, it is believed that health care providers who are knowledgeable in cross cultural competency skills as well as health care systems that have designed culturally sensitive policies and environments will optimize the ability to help alleviate these disparities. Unlike other professionals, cross culturally competent health care providers have the unique ability to eliminate health access disparities and to improve the quality of care among cross-culturally diverse immigrant and refugee populations.

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the health care access barriers that immigrants and refugees encounter as they acculturate into their new Western cultures and environments. It will also offer suggestions of cultural competency approaches and tips that can enhance the patient- provider and the system –community relationships across cultures. The specific objectives of this chapter are to:(1) provide an overview of the influx of immigrants and refugees into Western Countries ; (2) raise awareness of the health care access barriers that immigrants and refugees encounter upon arrival ; (3) provide information that can help providers become better acquainted with the health seeking behaviors, practices and perceptions of the diverse immigrants and refugees; and, (4) offer practical and cost –effective cross cultural competency suggestions and tips that can help health care providers and health care systems deliver culturally appropriate services and design cultural sensitive environments.