Occupational health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities: Current findings and new research directions

This chapter provides a review of research literature and describes the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among racial and ethnic minority populations. The relevance of CAM to health disparities is also discussed. Complementary and alternative medicines are terms used to describe methods of health care beyond the usual Western biomedical model. These treatments are prevalent and increasing in the United States. Many CAM therapies are ancient therapies among certain racial and ethnic minorities. Thus, it seems that complementary and alternative medicine is being used and/or could be used to decrease health disparities among these populations. A review of 26 research articles shows that we are at the beginning stages of examining this phenomenon and that CAM use by any population is only now being described. Of the reviewed studies, 19 studies documented use of CAM among racial and ethnic minorities; 7 revealed that CAM is not used more among ethnic groups than among White (non-Hispanic) populations. Although it is known that racial and ethnic people utilize CAM, the vast array of research questions and aims, CAM definitions, CAM practitioners, and diverse research methodologies result in mixed research findings and conclusions. In some instances, utilization of CAM modalities is stated to be a result of culture among particular groups. Even so, there is currently no evidence that scientifically supports the notion that CAM can be used to reduce health disparities within racial and ethnic minority populations.

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Highlighting Health Disparities in Racial and Ethnic Minorities and Other Underserved Populations

Cancer Control ◽

10.1177/107327481602300402 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 323-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Clement K. Gwede ◽

Gwendolyn P. Quinn ◽

B. Lee Green

Keyword(s):

Health Disparities ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

Underserved Populations ◽

Racial And Ethnic Minorities

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The Untapped Potential of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce in Reducing Health Disparities

Policy Politics & Nursing Practice ◽

10.1177/1527154417721189 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 84-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Lusine Poghosyan ◽

J. Margo Brooks Carthon

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

Nurse Practitioner ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Racial And Ethnic Minorities

The growing nurse practitioner (NP) workforce represents a significant supply of primary care providers, who if optimally utilized, are well-positioned to improve access to health care for racial and ethnic minorities. However, many barriers affect the optimal utilization of NPs in primary care delivery. These barriers may also prevent NPs from maximally contributing to efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Our review of the empirical and health policy literature sought to elucidate factors that affect NPs’ potential and ability to narrow or eliminate health disparities. We found that restrictive state scope of practice regulations, disparate reimbursement policies, lack of NP workforce diversity, and poor organizational structures in NP practices may limit NPs’ contributions to current efforts to reduce disparities. Our results led to the development of the nurse practitioner health disparities model which identifies barriers to and opportunities for optimal use of NPs in reducing racial and ethnic disparities. State and federal policymakers and administrators in health-care settings should take actions to remove legislative and organizational barriers to enable NPs to deliver high-quality care to racial and ethnic minorities. Researchers can use the nurse practitioner health disparities model to produce empirical evidence to reduce health disparities and improve population health.

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