1

One vulnerable population in the United States that is experiencing severe health disparities is the Native American Indians. Native Americans see health as a harmonious balance between nature and the universe. Native Americans must live their lives based on the native teachings handed down by the creator and tribe leaders to maintain good health. Their beliefs consist of an extreme amount of respect for the earth, and if someone is ill, it is seen as an imbalance between the environment and supernatural forces. Native Americans use charms and prayers to prevent illnesses. However, if an individual is ill, rituals are held and use herbal remedies to expelled evil spirits letting the individual return to unity with the environment (Polan & Taylor, 2019, Chapter Two). Native American Indians' health disparities result from years of historical events that restricted and removed them from their lands, causing poverty and poor diet, health, and wellness opportunities. (Blue Bird Jernigan et al., 2018).

For me, the definition of health disparities translates to a disadvantage that a person or group labeled or placed in a situation that is no fault of their own and prevents them from receiving the same level of care or available resources. In Native American Indians, the highest priority of health disparities to screen for would be the capability or means to access healthier food to improve physical health and well-being.

References

Blue Bird Jernigan, V., D’Amico, E. J., Duran, B., & Buchwald, D. (2018). Multilevel and community-level interventions with native americans: Challenges and opportunities. Prevention Science, 21(S1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-018-0916-3

Polan, E., & Taylor, D. (2019). Journey across the life span: Human development and health promotion (6th ed.). F. A. Davis Company.

2

Poverty in Haiti has been in ongoing issue that affects the life of the people living there. Poverty in Haiti is ranked among the most severe, affecting housing, nutrition, healthcare, increased infant mortality rates and environmental factors. One factor that affects Haiti agriculture is the limited amount of arable land, and lack of farming equipment. “Haiti utilizes more traditional cultivation methods than any other country in the Western Hemisphere due to the cost and absence of modern equipment” (Wikimedia Foundation, 2021). Another factor that may play a role in impacting increased Haiti is the religion. Although Roman Catholicism is the official religion, the people of Haiti may consider voodoo the country’s national religion.

Health disparities vary from person to person. When it comes to disease, injury, violence, or good health disparities may be preventable. Health disparities can result from multiple factors such as poverty, environmental threats, inadequate access to health care, and educational inequalities. Schools in Haiti are overcrowded and offer very little resources due to the lack of money. Untrained teachers and lack of supplies make education difficult to learn. “Despite improvements, the primary education system in Haiti remains highly inefficient” (Adelman, Baron, 2015).

Haiti lack of medical facilities and services increases the chances for health disparities. One of the highest priorities would be disease such as tuberculosis. Due to the lack of resources the majority of Haiti people do not receive their vaccines.

Sample Solution