How Culture Influences Health

Written By jaslynn .

Did you know that the way different cultures view illness can affect how patients respond to medical treatment?

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First, what is culture?

Culture is the shared set of beliefs, values, practices, customs, and expressions that shape a group’s identity and way of life. It evolves over time and influences how people interact with the world and one another.

Some characteristics of culture are:

  • Ethnicity

  • Language

  • Religion and spiritual beliefs

  • Sexual orientation 

  • Age

  • Geographic origin


Now, how does that translate in healthcare?

Culture plays a significant role in health by influencing how individuals perceive wellness, illness, and healthcare practices. They each have unique beliefs that affect health behaviors, treatment choices, and attitudes toward medical professionals, which can impact overall health outcomes and access to care. 

Culture helps define:

  • How patients and health providers view health and illness

  • Which diseases or conditions are stigmatized and why

  • What types of health promotion activities are practiced, recommended, or insured

  • The degree of understanding and compliance with treatment options recommended by healthcare providers who do not share their cultural beliefs

  • Where and how patients seek help

  • How patients and providers perceive chronic disease and various treatment options.

Culture also affects health in other ways, such as:

  • Acceptance of preventive or health promotion measures

  • Perceptions of death, dying, and who should be involved

  • Acceptance of diagnosis

  • How accessible healthcare systems are


Specific Beliefs on Health:

Making up a large ethnic group in the United States, there are many things nurses should know about the cultural beliefs of Asians/Pacific Islanders. First, they emphasize the extended family, with the oldest male often making decisions. Maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict are highly valued, which may lead patients to appear agreeable while silently disagreeing with healthcare recommendations. Mental health issues can carry a significant stigma, making patients reluctant to discuss symptoms like depression.

In some sub-populations of cultures, such as those from India and Pakistan, severe emotional or mental illnesses are very stigmatized as they impact marriage prospects for family members. Reluctance to accept diagnoses related to mental health, emphasizing the importance of sensitive communication.

Hispanic cultures deeply value family and religion, viewing illness as God’s will or punishment. Many use home remedies or consult folk healers (curanderos). Fatalistic beliefs can affect adherence to treatments, making it important to respect spiritual perspectives in care.

Family and church are central in African-American culture, with extended kinship bonds and key family members involved in health decisions. The church often provides emotional and practical support during illness, making it an important partner in healthcare strategies.

Russian immigrants may distrust U.S. healthcare, having experienced authoritarian medical systems where doctors direct care without patient input. They often expect a paternalistic approach and may struggle with preventive health measures and open communication about medical concerns.

Native Americans view health as harmony with nature, and illness as an imbalance with natural or supernatural forces. They often consult shamans or medicine people, emphasizing spiritual care practices. A holistic approach that respects these beliefs is crucial for effective treatment.

Each ethnic group brings their own perspectives and values to healthcare systems which can differ from traditional American healthcare culture. Unfortunately, the expectation of many health care professionals has been that patients will conform to mainstream values even though that is not the case. That expectation brings in nothing but more barriers to care and between healthcare providers and patients.

So then what can health professionals do?

Healthcare providers are more likely to provide better care if they understand what distinguishes their patients’ cultural values, beliefs, and practices from their own.

It’s important for them to:

  • Respect, understand, and work with differing cultural perceptions of effective or appropriate treatment.

  • Ask for any specific care or treatment information

  • When in need, arrange an appropriate translator

  • Make sure you understand how the patient understands his or her health or illness

  • Understand their personal/familial needs

  • Listen and confirm you understand their boundaries and the messages they have


Ultimately, embracing cultural competence is not just about improving health outcomes—it’s about building the trust, respect, and empathy between healthcare providers and patients.


Written by: Jaslynn Lee

References

EuroMed Info. “How culture influences health beliefs.” EuroMed Info, EuroMed Info, https://www.euromedinfo.eu/how-culture-influences-health-beliefs.html/.

NIH. “Cultural Respect.” NIH, NIH, 29 October 2024, https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect.

Ochs, Jessica, et al. “Population Health for Nurses.” OpenStax, OpenStax, 15 May 2024, https://openstax.org/books/population-health/pages/21-3-the-role-of-culture-in-shaping-health-beliefs-and-practices.

Olatunde, Oluwasayo. “How Culture Influences Health.” Caring for Kids, February 2023, https://kidsnewtocanada.ca/culture/How-Culture-Influences-Health.

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