European Americans in Minnesota |
 Print |
Increasing the cultural competence of health care providers serving diverse populations
In order to provide equitable and effective health care, clinicians need to be able to
function effectively within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs of
consumers and their communities.
In 2007, white European Americans accounted for 88% of Minnesota’s population
versus 66% of the nation’s population. Although compared to the nation, Minnesota
is considerably less diverse, populations
of color are growing faster in
Minnesota than populations of European
descent—at a rate of 28% compared to
19% nationally.
Social structure
The largest reported ancestries of European Americans in Minnesota are German (38%), Norwegian (17%), Irish (12%), and Swedish (10%)—groups that immigrated to Minnesota during the mid 1800s. In 2007, over 90% of all Minnesotans spoke only English at home.
According to George Marker in The Myth of White Culture, “European Americans have never experienced a truly cohesive
experience. Instead of one culture and people . . . Caucasian America is simply a loosely
associated series of subcultures and non-cultures.” In contrast, African Americans,
Latino Americans, and other non-white populations have built strong cultural identities in America.
In spite of the variety of European American subcultures across the U.S., some generalizations can be made about this population. More so than many other cultures, European Americans tend to value individualism and independence. They believe in
responsibility for self—that individuals, not fate, control their own destinies. European
Americans in general have a logical, problem solving learning style. For example, if a
political system or educational system is not working, they analyze the problems and
take steps to solve them—and they don’t hesitate to challenge authority to overcome
barriers.
In Understanding Your Own Culture and Cultural Adjustment
(Babson College), European Americans are described as being future oriented—believing the future will bring
happiness. They see change as natural and positive, leading to improvement and progress—in contrast to some
cultures that may view change as disruptive to their history, traditions, and continuity. European Americans tend to
value practicality and efficiency, and place importance on promptness. They generally respect equality, fairness, and
gender equity.
Minnesotans of European descent have a no-nonsense attitude toward work—they respect the dignity and intrinsic value of work. Many are identified by their professions and believe that they will be rewarded based
on individual achievement. They tend to attach significant
importance to taking the initiative, and believe in competition and in the capitalistic philosophy that free enterprise brings out the best in the individual.
In this population, the nuclear family is respected even
though family members are often separated by distance.
In 2007, 54% of all Minnesotans were married, although
that percentage is shrinking. With the majority of mothers
working outside the home, children are often cared for in
homes or schools that provide day care.
Outdoor activities are a major part of the lives of many Minnesotans, including hockey, skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing. Ice fishing, popular with early Scandinavian immigrants, is a favorite winter past time. Families frequently own or share cabin getaways in central and northern Minnesota.
Diet
The Western Pattern Diet (or Standard American Diet) is currently followed by many European Americans in Minnesota. The Western diet is characterized by high consumption of red meat, animal fats, sugary desserts, highfat salty foods, processed foods, and alcohol. According to the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, one-third of daily calories come from fast foods and other junk foods.
The Western diet is low in fiber, complex carbohydrates, plant-based foods, vitamins, and minerals, compared to a healthy diet with more fruits, vegetables, whole-grain foods, poultry, and fish. Associated with the Western diet are epidemic obesity and chronic diseases, resulting in illness and death from diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In the 1800s and early 1900s when Minnesotans lived a primarily agricultural life, heart attacks were unheard of. By 1960,
heart disease accounted for more than 500,000 deaths per
year nationally. By 2006, heart disease accounted for more
than 800,000 deaths per year.
On holidays and special occasions, European Americans in
Minnesota often prepare traditional ancestral dishes, such
as stollen (German), lutefisk and lefse (Scandinavian), and
corned beef and cabbage or soda bread (Irish).
Religion
In Minnesota, Christianity is the most common religion practiced by European Americans. A
2010 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public
Life showed that 53% of Minnesotans were affiliated with
Protestant churches (over 26% are Lutheran) and 28% with
Roman Catholic churches. Many Christians in Minnesota
attend church or Sunday school regularly and on religious
holidays, and many children attend private Protestant
or Catholic schools. Minnesota also has an active Jewish
population (1% of the population). Its first synagogue was
established in St. Paul in 1856. The remaining 19% of the
population practice other religions or follow no religious
traditions.
Medical care
The practices of traditional Western medicine are favored by most European Americans in
Minnesota. Western medicine is characterized by rigorous
safety protocols with treatments and medications that must
pass a strict review before they can be used for patient care.
Health care providers use methods developed according to
medical and scientific traditions. Treatments may include
medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and physical
therapy. Western medicine differs from Eastern medicine
in its approach to treatment. Western medicine’s greatest
strength is in trauma care and therapies for acute problems. Increasing attention is being paid to preventive medicine to address growing rates of chronic diseases, preventable cancers, and the epidemic increase in obesity and diseases related to obesity, such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The holistic approach of Eastern medicine is increasingly
being incorporated into traditional medical treatment.
Illnesses and conditions are uniquely treated according
to the way a particular patient experiences a disease. For
example, patients with fibromyalgia may use meditation
or massage therapy to reduce stress and improve muscle
function. Eastern medicine’s greatest strength is in the area
of treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—not
just the disease.
End of life
As part of the Western model of health
care, families often use palliative care and hospice care
services to manage advanced illness at end of life. Palliative
and hospice care focus on relieving suffering and improving
quality of life by customizing treatment to meet the needs
of each individual, and by providing physical, emotional,
and spiritual support.
Hospice specializes in care for individuals in the last
stages of a terminal illness, and provides grief support
for surviving loved ones. Hospice provides therapies to
relieve pain, teaches care techniques, arranges for necessary
equipment such as a hospital bed or oxygen, and coordinates
other services. Hospice services are provided in the
home or at hospice or other health care facilities.
At end of life, individuals may be visited by clergy and
prayed for by members of a religious congregation. Funerals
and memorial services may be religious or non-religious.
Traditional burial and cremation are practiced equally by
this population.
Culture in context
Culture is essential in assessing a person’s health and
well-being. Understanding a patient’s practice of cultural
norms can allow providers to quickly build rapport and
ensure effective patient-provider communication. Efforts
to reduce health disparities must be holistic, addressing
the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of individuals
and families. Also important is making connections
with community members and recognizing conditions in
the community.
Get to know your patients on an individual level. Not all
patients from diverse populations conform to commonly
known culture-specific behaviors, beliefs, and actions.
Generalizations in this material may not apply to your
patients.
|
