Asian American and Native American communities have long been affected by health disparities, defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions. In the United States, Asian and Native Americans have much higher rates of certain diseases than other racial groups (Uchima et al., 2019). As a result, one important role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) is to work to reduce these disparities and improve these communities’ healthcare. This essay will provide an overview of the health disparities faced by these communities and discuss how APNs can help to reduce these disparities.
APNs must first understand the scope of the disparities in the Asian American and Native American communities to do so. To gain such insight, a review of peer-reviewed articles from the library on health disparities in these two communities was conducted. This search found that both communities face a range of disparities, from higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease to greater risk of mental health issues (Uchima et al., 2019). Furthermore, there are disparities in access to care in both communities, with Asian Americans and Native Americans having lower health insurance coverage rates than other racial groups.
These disparities have a significant impact, with Asian and Native Americans having poorer health outcomes than other racial groups. To address this, APNs can play a significant role in improving these communities’ healthcare. By offering culturally competent care, APNs can ensure that these groups receive care that considers their particular needs, cultures, and beliefs (Chen, 2019). APNs can also improve access to care by reducing financial and cultural barriers to healthcare (Zahner et al., 2021). Finally, APNs can advocate for policies that promote education, health promotion, and access to care to ensure the health of these communities.
Overall, APNs are important in reducing health disparities in Asian American and Native-American communities. Providing culturally competent care, increasing access to care, and advocating for policies promoting health help ensure these communities receive the care they need and deserve, essential for reducing health disparities. APNs can be instrumental in this effort. By proactively addressing the needs of these communities, APNs can help to ensure that all individuals have equitable access to quality healthcare.
References
Chen, M. S. (2019). Rectifying Disparities in Funding of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Research by the US National Institutes of Health. JAMA Network Open, 2(7), e197561. Web.
Uchima, O., Wu, Y. Y., Browne, C., & Braun, K. L. (2019). Disparities in Diabetes Prevalence Among Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders and Asians in Hawaiāi. Preventing Chronic Disease, 16. Web.
Zahner, S. J., Kowalkowski, J., Henriques, J. B., LeClair, J., Merss, K. B., & Cho, H. (2021). 2020 RN Survey Report. Wisconsin Center for Nursing. Web.