Topic 4: Cultural Competence and Nutrition in Health Promotion Select an ethnic minority group that is represented in the United States (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander). Using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government websites, analyze the health status for this group. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, compare and contrast the health status of your selected minority group to the national average. Include the following:

Topic 4: Cultural Competence and Nutrition in Health Promotion Select an ethnic minority group that is represented in the United States (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander). Using health information available from Healthy People, the CDC, and other relevant government websites, analyze the health status for this group. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, compare and contrast the health status of your selected minority group to the national average. Include the following:

Health Promotion among Native Hawaiian Minority

The United States population is made up of different people from all over the world, these individuals make up various minority groups represented. One minority group lives more predominately on the west coast of the United States; this group is the Native Hawaiian minority group. Throughout this paper we will discuss the health status of the native Hawaiian minority. The health disparities and nutritional challenges the native Hawaiian people encounter will be reviewed. Barriers that impact their health will be discussed. The most common health promotion approach will be address. Finally, the cultural beliefs that should be considered by health care professionals when working with the native Hawaiian minority will be reviewed.

Health Status of Native Hawaiian Minority

When addressing the Native Hawaiian minority, it includes anyone with origins from Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. As of 2015, there were 1.3 million Native Hawaiians who call the United States home, which represents about 0.4% of the entire United States population (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). Of the native Hawaiian population in 2015, 24% or 370,000 resided in the state of Hawaii. Native Hawaiians are found to have higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). “Other health conditions that are prevalent in this population are [cmppp_restricted] hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis” (minorityhealth,hhs.gov, 2018). “It has been found that the leading causes of death are: cancer, heart disease, accidents, stroke, and diabetes” (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). The native Hawaiian population is at greater risk for multiple different things, due to their diet and physical exercise beliefs.

Health Disparities and Nutritional Challenges for Native Hawaiian

The Native Hawaiian population encounters many health disparities and nutritional challenges. The native Hawaiian population has the second highest rate of mortality from cancer in the United States, diet and obesity which are cancer links are very high in this population (McEligot, 2012). Mental illness is a growing population among the native Hawaiians, it is now at 13.1%, and it has one of the highest incidents of suicide amongst its population (Lynsen, 2018). Obesity is a large issue for this population, and it is linked to their diet and exercise habits (Bryant, 2017). In this population, the lifestyle behaviors are an increase consumption of high sodium, alcohol, smoking, and a lack of physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables (Bryant, 2017). Individual’s diets are more focused on fried food with rice and lacking additions of vegetables and fruit (Bryant, 2017).  The obesity in this population puts them at higher risk for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses (Byrant, 2017). Overall, the diet and lack of physical exercise of the native Hawaiian population leads them to having more risks of developing various chronic illnesses.

Barriers That Effect Native Hawaiian’s Health

This population runs into barriers in education, economics, and access to health care. Only 88.8 percent of native Hawaiians have received a high school diploma or higher and 28 percent speak another language than English in their home (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). In the 2015 census, it was reported that 17.3 percent of native Hawaiians live under the poverty line, and the median income is $60,133 (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). When it comes to insurance coverage, roughly 66.4 percent of the population is covered by private insurance and 33.4 percent have public health insurance (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). These number are higher than the average of non-Hispanics with public health insurance and native Hawaiians have a higher percent of individuals not covered by health insurance than non-Hispanics (mintoryhealth.hhs.gov,2018). The native Hawaiian population is less likely to hold a high school diploma or higher degree, will have a lower salary, and more likely to have public health insurance or no insurance at all than other populations in the United States.

Health Promotion Approach

The most important health promotion for the native Hawaiian population is primary prevention. The native Hawaiian population is less likely to seek health care or be unable to access health care, therefore are less likely to use prevention health care. “This group also has little access to cancer prevention and control programs” (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2018). When individuals from this population have participated in various diet and exercise studies, they will see improvement in the first weeks, but will have difficulty maintaining the lifestyle changes (Bry