Health Promotion in Culturally Diverse and Vulnerable Populations

Abstract

America is a diverse culture with multiple people, religions, cultural beliefs, and values. Health promotion is a basic nursing activity. Nurses working in distinct settings interact with multiples cultural groups. Many individuals that are part of diverse cultures are considered vulnerable. Individuals and populations are considered vulnerable because of disparities in health when compared with the dominant population. This article addresses some of the potential influences on health promotion for diverse and vulnerable cultures and identifies strategies to overcome identified barriers. Disparities exist in many health outcomes in the United States; a targeted effort by nurses and other health care providers is key to reducing this gap in health outcomes and improving the health of all Americans.