What Are The Cultural Barriers That Influence American Culture

The United States is often referred to as the “melting pot” to describe how different cultures have combined to influence American culture. 1 The population of the United States is comprised of immigrates from other countries causing it to become one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The different cultures have contributed to the languages, religions, style, cuisine, arts, sports and, holidays that are seen throughout American history and present day. If all of these areas are affected by culture why hasn’t health care adapted as well? Medical anthropologists are working within the healthcare field to ensure that patients receive acceptable medical treatment and that patients are comfortable seeking treatment.
When asked
Culture is not a skill that can simply be taught and tested so it is avoided during medical school. Culture is something that must be studied over time and must be adaptable per client (Brown & Closser, 2016). Most individuals do not realize that culture is not entirely based on race or religion. This lack of knowledge leads to an increase in cultural barriers because people do not try to understand what the term actually entails.
Cultural barriers can be seen across the world but due to the United States being the most culturally diverse it has a high number of problems within the healthcare system (Bailey, 2002). Culture barriers can include values, beliefs, language, race, and ethnicity (Bailey, 2018). As reported by the American College of Physicians, evidence reveals that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to receive inferior care when compared with non-minorities (“Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care,” 2010). Health beliefs and behavior can become a barrier when patients decide not to seek medical