CULTURAL-DIFFERENCES IN HEALTH BELIEFS - IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL-WORK-PRACTICE IN HEALTH-CARE SETTINGS

Individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds often have beliefs about health, disease and treatment which vary significantly from American scientific medical practice. Cultural and subcultural health beliefs also vary among blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Individual differences within cultural groups may be influenced by length of time in the United States, age and social economic status. Social work activities which can improve health care services to ethnic minorities are identified.