Vulnerable Population
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Arab Muslim
Workplace Project Action Plan Overview
The United States of America is a nation that has a diverse population, cultures, religions, and beliefs. One of the least studied ethnic groups in relations to health care inequalities is the Arab Muslim (Middle Eastern, Arab American, and North African) population. The purpose of this project is to develop an awareness of existing bias, preconceive perceptions, and barriers Arab Muslim in accessing care, obtaining resources, and achieving wellness.
Vulnerable Population
Recent immigrants from Iran, Iraq, and other war torn Middle Eastern countries are a fast growing population. It is reported that there is about 2.6 million Muslim adults and children are living in the United States and that number is expected to double in by 2030. The exact number of Arab Muslims is not known. The census numbers may show trends of underreporting for a variety of reasons such as a fear of discrimination, prejudice, and deportation. According to the 2000 Census, California, Michigan, and New York have the highest concentration of Arab Muslims (de la Cruz, G., & Brittingham 2003).
Need to Address the Health care need of the Arab Muslim Population
Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension are common health issues within the Arab Muslims population. Sharp Grossmont Hospital (SGH) is located in La Mesa, California and approximately five miles from El Cajon, California. The city of El Cajon has a large concentration of Arab Muslim and continues to grow. Many of the Arab Muslims population obtain access to health care through the emergency room at SGH. Nurses and other health care workers providing care to Arab Muslims population must be able to appreciate and understand the cultural, beliefs, and traditions to enhance wellness and health of this vulnerable population (Yosef, 2008).
Staff Barriers toward the Arab Muslim Population
The Arab Muslim population has numerous barriers in accessing the health care system in the United States, including lack of insurance, language barrier, social isolation, gender preferences in health care providers, misconceptions of illness causes, and lack of knowledge of a complex health care system. Health care workers have preconceived perception and biases of the Arab Muslim populations. The world “they” are a common inference to this population:
They have an unpleasant body odor (stink)
They are terrorists, the male is controlling and demanding
They have no insurance. My tax dollars are paying for “them” to be here.
They want try to learn English and expect for