In the USA, one can easily observe and comprehend the extremely pervasive racial/ethnic discrimination in the healthcare system. However, the apparent disparities in the deliverance of health care are not new. The minorities in the USA are being challenged with this issue for about two centuries. Therefore, it is not surprising that the death rates for African Americans are higher as compared to their white countrymen whereby cancer, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and homicide are the principal mortality causes (Williams & Mohammed, 2008). According to statistics, approximately a million people of color die a premature death annually due to the unequal and discriminated healthcare deliverance. The health disparities are prevalent in America due to many factors that include “cultural differences in lifestyle patterns, inherited health risks, and social inequalities that are reflected in discrepancies in access to health care, variations in health providers’ behaviors, differences in socioeconomic position” (Mays, Cochran, & Barnes, 2007). Nevertheless, it is inopportune that a minute progress has been made to deal with such health disparities (Baldwin, 2003).
It is high time to introduce and implement novel solutions for resolving these persistent issues. As far as ARPNs are concerned, it is their principal responsibility to extend equity and justice to all the racial/ethnic groups in the American society. It is excessively significant to make endeavors for the maintenance and improvement of every American whether he is a white or black individual; no matter which race/ethnicity he belongs to. Specific health needs of every individual must be addressed. ARPNs could facilitate the dispersion and circulation of the importance of individualized healthcare in their respective communities. Also, ARPNs could play an exceptionally powerful and positive role in practicing diversity within their profession. Such contributions could help the American healthcare system achieve the desired outcomes for the deliverance of the professed holistic care.
References
Baldwin, D. M. (2003, January 31). Disparities in Health and Health Care: Focusing Efforts to Eliminate Unequal Burdens. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/DisparitiesinHealthandHealthCare.html
Mays, V. M., Cochran, S. D., & Barnes, N. W. (2007). Race, Race-Based Discrimination, and Health Outcomes Among African Americans. Annual Review of Psychology Annu. Rev. Psychol., 58(1), 201-225. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4181672/
Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2008). Discrimination and racial disparities in health: Evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20-47. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821669/
