Culture and Health Literacy are Linked

Date: 11/09/22

Culture affects how patients do the following:

Select their providers and take their medication.

Some cultures have a range of healing practices and treatment from which to select. Encourage your patients to let you know all of the healing practices and treatments that they may be using. Check botanical or home-based treatments for contraindications to prescribed medications.

Talk with their providers.

Each culture has its own way of expressing health related information. For example, depression may be expressed as lethargy, or pain may be expressed as a burning sensation.

Involve their families.

The family plays an important role in many cultures. Involve the family in your patients’ healthcare if that is important to them. 

Make food choices.

Foods that are commonly eaten by certain cultures may need to be restricted because of patients’ conditions. Explain to your patients how they can modify their intake of these foods. Show them culturally relevant alternative food choices.

Advocate for their health.

Some cultures feel that speaking up is challenging the doctor and that it is disrespectful. Let your patients know you would like them to speak up and ask you questions.

Resource: Help Your Patients Understand Their Health & Health Care (PDF)