Impacts of Cultural Barriers on Healthcare

Abstract

Civil unrest and the emergence of terrorist groups have caused humanitarian crises in Middle Eastern countries that has led to an influx of Arab refugees and asylum seekers to the United States. This paper explores both the causes and effects of cultural differences and discrimination on healthcare outcomes for Middle Eastern patients in Western cultures. Relationships between Middle Eastern patients and Western health care providers are often plagued by mutual misunderstanding of culturally influenced values, including contrasting views of family roles in medicine, communication styles, religious beliefs, and attitudes regarding preventative care and illness. These cultural differences combined with increased systemic discrimination since 9/11 have not only created barriers in access to healthcare, but have intensified the need for healthcare in Middle Eastern populations who exhibit higher premature birth rates, increased prevalence of mental health disorders and chronic health conditions including PTSD, hypertension, and Diabetes, and decreased screening and vaccination rates compared to white Americans. The key to bridging the cultural gap between Western medicine and Arab patients and providing quality healthcare that will improve, rather than impede their healthcare lies in cultural understanding through education, relationship-building, and respect.