Culture and Health NCS Issue 2022

Running head: CULTURE AND HEALTH 1
Culture and Health
Name of Author
Institution of Affiliation
Date of Submission

CULTURE AND HEALTH 2
Culture and Health
Introduction
The unit, Culture, and Health (NCS 2202) has provided me with foundational knowledge
and understanding of various kinds of cultures and how they can implicate health care. Some of
the critical topics that we have covered in this unit include self and diversity, cultures, and
valuing of aboriginal and other indigenous cultures. Besides we have explored cross-cultural
health and wellness and health issues that are faced by the migrant. With the use of knowledge
and understanding that I have learned from the unit, I will be able to provide quality health care
which is client-centered and culturally safe. In other words, the unit has played a key role in
preparing me to become an effective registered nurse.
The clients that I am interested in addressing their issues from Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people are the young people. The young individuals from this indigenous group of
people have been facing many health issues that need to be addressed. One of the health issues
facing young indigenous Australia is illnesses that are related to nutrition and exercise. Such
health condition includes diabetes, renal disorders, and Ischemic heart disorder. Diabetes has
brought a burden to Indigenous people who are socially disadvantaged. According to (Best &
Stuart, 2014), aboriginals are three times more likely to have diabetes than non-indigenous
Australian. Besides, it has evidenced (Biddle & Swee, 2012), that children from disadvantaged
communities in Australia are eight times more likely to suffer from diabetes type 2 than their
non-indigenous age mates. Death rates as a result of diabetes have been high, too, and it is
estimated to be six times more likely than non-indigenous youths who are diagnosed with
diabetes (Shepherd & Zubrick, 2012).

CULTURE AND HEALTH 3
Another health issue that my client can face disorders that are linked to the physical
environment. Such disorder includes Rheumatic Fever, Eye and ear infections, skin infections,
respiratory illnesses, and diarrhea. Rheumatic fever is still common among indigenous
Australian. According to (Clifford et al., 2015), indigenous individuals are 64 likely to suffer
from rheumatic fever. As per the study, about 800 deaths were reported among indigenous young
people that were as a result of rheumatic disorders. This indicates how serious rheumatic
disorder is a health burden to indigenous individuals.
The other health issue that my client can face is illnesses that are linked to the social or
mental environment. Such disorder may include mental illness, stress-related issues, trauma and
alcohol, and substance abuse. Although all young Australians are experiencing problems in
alcohol and substance use, young indigenous people are three times experiencing the issue. For
example, the young indigenous living in some parts of Melbourne and Sydney are more likely to
be abusing illicit drugs such as heroin and cannabis. Their counterpart from northern territory is
more likely to be abusing alcohol. As a result of the high rate of illicit and substance abuse
among young indigenous Australian, many have been in danger of disorders that are linked to
drug abuse (Douglas et al., 2014). The gap of illnesses that are linked to drug and substance
abuse is brought by a range of factors such as disconnection of culture, social exclusion,
discrimination, poverty and inadequate access to quality health care services.
As a result of drug and substance abuse among young indigenous Australians, many have
a high risk of suffering from mental illnesses. Mental health statistics indicate that young
Indigenous Australians are more likely to suffer from depression, schizophrenia, and dementia.
This has resulted in an increase in the rate of suicide among the age mates of my client. The