Cultural factors to be considered when building a health history for patients with diverse backgrounds In May 2012, Alice Randall wrote an article for on the cultural factors that encouraged black women to maintain a weight above what is considered healthy. Randall explained—from her observations and her personal experience as a black woman—that many African-American communities and cultures consider women who are overweight to be more beautiful and desirable than women at a healthier weight. As she put it, “Many black women are fat because we want to be” (Randall, 2012). Randall’s statements sparked a great deal of controversy and debate; however, they emphasize an underlying reality in the healthcare field: different populations, cultures, and groups have diverse beliefs and practices that impact their health. Nurses and healthcare professionals should be aware of this reality and adapt their health assessment techniques and recommendations to accommodate diversity.

Cultural factors to be considered when building a health history for patients with diverse backgrounds In May 2012, Alice Randall wrote an article for on the cultural factors that encouraged black women to maintain a weight above what is considered healthy. Randall explained—from her observations and her personal experience as a black woman—that many African-American communities and cultures consider women who are overweight to be more beautiful and desirable than women at a healthier weight. As she put it, “Many black women are fat because we want to be” (Randall, 2012). Randall’s statements sparked a great deal of controversy and debate; however, they emphasize an underlying reality in the healthcare field: different populations, cultures, and groups have diverse beliefs and practices that impact their health. Nurses and healthcare professionals should be aware of this reality and adapt their health assessment techniques and recommendations to accommodate diversity.

Diversity and Health Assessments

Cultural Factors to be Considered when Building a Health History for Patients with Diverse Backgrounds

“Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.” (Jesse Jackson). Diversity is the practice of including and involving people from all backgrounds and identities to participate in a group or organization. Diversity may refer to when a healthcare facility’s medical and administrative staff represent a wide range of experience and backgrounds (Gomez & Bernet, 2019). Diversity in healthcare ensures that all backgrounds and perspectives are adequately represented in the medical industry, where it provides the best available patient care. For healthcare workers, diversity creates a strong feeling of inclusion and community, making the workplace feel safer and more enjoyable. Lack of diversity can lead minority healthcare workers feeling stifled or unable to express their unique talents and personality traits. A health assessment can be defined as a set of questions to a patient about personal behaviors, live-changing behaviors, and health goals and priorities, including overall health. The essay aims to explore the cultural factors associated with a 54-year-old Caucasian male suffering from a seizure related to alcohol withdrawal and look at the sensitive issues when interacting with the patient.