Chinese cultural beliefs contribute to their uniqueness. Firstly, the Chinese believe in yin and yang, which is the belief in âa balance between body, mind, and spirit,â as cited by Chin and Liu (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Chinese also believe in the concept of âhot and coldâ as part of balance. âHot and coldâ pertains specifically to foods, where the Chinese believe that âillness is traditionally thought to be caused by an imbalance of âhotâ and âcoldâ and influenced by consuming specific foodsâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Also, the Chinese believe in the concept of âqiâ. Qi is defined as âthe bodyâs life force and energy⊠[connecting] the organs by meridians accessible at specific points on the bodyâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Chinese also base some of their beliefs on Confucianism. Confucianism emphasizes respect for the family, respect for elders, interpersonal relationships, and harmony, to name a few (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Lastly, Taoism is part of the Chinese cultural beliefs. Taoism shares the value of relationships between people and the natural world (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).
Cultural values of the Chinese include the family, respect for elders, education, the concept of âface,â and balance. Chang and Kemp write about filial piety, which is devotion for parents, revering them. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Chinese value the family rather than the individual. Secondly, the Chinese value their elders. They respect the elderly, addressing them by title followed by the last name. Chin writes âElders are highly respectedâŠ[and] eldest males make most decisionsâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Further, education is highly valued in Chinese culture. The Chinese believe education is vital for success. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Fourthly, the Chinese value âface,â which involves dignity. Face is maintaining a certain dignified appearance, âprestige, and status in the eyes of othersâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The concept of âsaving faceâ mirrors this Chinese value, where embarrassing situations and problems are not publicized or shown. Lastly, the Chinese value balance. The value of balance is reflected in the Chinese cultural beliefs of yin and yang, hot and cold, and qi. Eliopoulos writes âcare of the body and health are of utmost importance in traditional Chinese culture⊠Chinese medicine is based on the belief of the balance of yin and yang (2014).
The Chinese have several unique traditions and practices. Indirect communication is typical and saying ânoâ directly is avoided (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Eliopoulos writes, âtypically, disagreement or discomfort is not aggressively or openly displayed by Chinese personsâ (2014). Secondly, some Chinese wear amulets âfor good healthâ and clinicians should accept this as a traditional practice, not removing an amulet unless it is absolutely necessary (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Thirdly, the Chinese traditionally have strong family ties. Chin writes, âextended families are common, and two or three generations often live in the same household (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). It is normal for grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles to occupy the same living space. Another practice by the Chinese is healing by food. This is influenced by their belief in hot and cold and the belief that âillness is influenced by consuming specific foods or medicinesâ (Chang & Kemp, 2004; Lin, 2000, as cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Liu goes on to say âthe appropriately balanced diet, including the five traditional flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty), is known as âhealth through proper dietââ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Lastly, the Chinese will traditionally practice herbal therapy. Lin writes, âBefore seeking Western treatment, traditional Chinese often will use ⊠herbs⊠to treat illness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also write that âherbal therapy is one of the oldest Asian treatments,â using the whole plant as opposed to extracting and isolating specific active ingredients of the plant as is common for drug manufacturing (2008).
One health-related need is delayed mental illness treatment. Oftentimes, due to the stigma associated with mental illness, the Chinese do not seek help in treating it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention propose that âproviders need to screen and educate, reduce stigma [and] because mental illness is sometimes considered punishment for past wrongdoing, a diagnosis has the potential to bring considerable shame on the familyâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). In addition to that, another health need is delayed illness treatment in general. Due to Chinese beliefs and traditions, some do not seek out care right away. Prevention and early treatment are crucial to positive outcomes but âmany Chinese exhaust traditional and alternative treatments first, even when a person seeks care, it is often after symptoms have become severe,â written by Spencer and Chen (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Thirdly, another health need for the Chinese involves STD education. There have been studies that demonstrate that âthis community is not always properly informed of the risk of contracting an STD and the methods of protectionâ (Ahn, Abesamis-Mendoza, 2007). Ahn and Abesamis-Mendoza also write about how the Western lifestyle and acculturation have contributed to a rise in sexual behavior (2007). In conjunction with the traditional values, saving âface,â and maintaining modestly, STD education is a health need of this population to educate, prevent, and address concerns directly. Fourthly, there also exists a psychosocial health need of strained family relationships. Elder Chinese Americans may feel abandoned because their children are distant, reporting âfeelings of social isolation within their own familiesâ (Dong, Chang, Wong, Wong, Skarupski, Simon, 2010). The family unit is a health need that needs to be addressed, as it is an essential part of Chinese culture.
Health problems of the Chinese involve cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, medicine dependency, and gambling. Averbach et al state, ânearly two of every three adult males are smokersâ (as cited by Centers for Disease Control, 2008). It is known that cigarette smoking is a major health problem. As Ngai, Latimer, and Cheung write:
âTobacco use is a risk factor for cancers, coronary heart disease, and strokesâŠIn this survey, 409 respondents rated smoking as a health concern, and it is more of an issue for Chinese and Others than Koreanâ (2001).
Secondly, alcohol abuse is another health problem. In fact, a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 64% of Asian/Pacific Islanders identified alcohol as their problem (2013). Thirdly, a health problem regarding the Chinese is in medicine dependency. In a study by Ngai et al, 28% of Chinese are concerned about medicine dependency, which can âinduce psychological distress, nervousness or more prone to have mental health problem (Ngai, M., Latimer, S., & Cheung, V., 2001). Lastly, Ngai et al also identify gambling as a health problem. When one gambles, it âaffects an individualâs health and well-being as well as family functioningâ (2001). On top of the individual stress that gambling can induce, it also will affect the family, a unit that the Chinese value.
The first health risk specific to Chinese Americans is a risk for Diabetes. Lifestyle changes including physical activity modifications contribute to this, common when Asians immigrated, according to Fushimoto (as cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Asian American Health Initiative also cites that the âprevalence of diabetes is 60% higher than non-Hispanic whites,â compared to Asian Americans (Asian American Health Initiative, 2010). Another health risk is asthma. Though Asian American cases of asthma are lower than the white population, the rate of death from asthma-associated complications is higher. The Office of Minority Health contends that causes are still unclear regarding asthma, but believe that âchildren exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke exposure are at increased risk for acute lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis,â asthma cigarette smoking is a health problem cited in the Chinese population (Office of Minority Health, 2016). Further, another health risk is chronic liver disease. Chronic liver disease is a leading cause of death, sometimes initiated by âalcoholism, obesity and exposure to Hepatitis B and C virusesâ (Office of Minority Health, 2016). Fourthly, in the U.S. population, Asian Americans are the only group with cancer as the leading cause of death. Cancer is a health risk and this population has the âhighest rates of liver and stomach cancers and are nearly 3 times more likely to develop liver cancerâ compared to the white population (Asian American Health Initiative, 2010). Moreover, another health risk is osteoporosis. Specifically, Asian women run a higher risk of the development of osteoporosis. The Office of Minority Health state âthe average intake of calciumâa nutrient essential to bone healthâamong Asian women is estimated to be half that of Western population groupsâ (2016). This may be attributed to the fact that âamong the Chinese, lactose intolerance is common and contributes to calcium deficiencyâ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). In addition, a health risk pertinent to Chinese Americans is the risk for mental health issues and suicide. The Office of Minority Health cited suicide as the â10th leading cause of death for Asian Americansâ (2016). In fact, the highest suicide rates occur in older Asian American women over the age of sixty-five. Post-traumatic stress disorder is also common in refugees and with the cultural values of saving âfaceâ and indirectly communicating, mental health issues pose a health risk (Office of Minority Health, 2016). Lastly, tuberculosis is a health risk for Chinese Americans. According to the World Health Organization, âChina is the second most (TB)-prevalent country in the world (as cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The factors that contribute to this health risk are cigarette use, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancers, Hepatitis, and end-stage renal disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).
References
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