Abstract
clinic in central Arkansas. Factors examined included knowledge of hypertension in their family, culturally influenced teaching about hypertension and response to having a positive family history of hypertension. Using the US Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait, 90% of patients were able to recall enough family history to develop an informative pedigree with the assistance of a nurse practitioner. Importantly, the utility of the family history hinges on its accuracy. This accuracy is dependent on the patient’s ability to provide enough information necessary to construct a pedigree and is likely influenced by social factors such as ethnicity, education and health literacy. Social determinants of health are potent predictors of poor health outcomes globally, and have been identified as priority action areas by the World Health Organization. 9 The influence of socioeconomic status operates along a continuum, with the poorest health outcomes in the most disadvantaged groups. This social gradient is evident even in developed countries. The African American population is a minority racial group representing approximately 12% of the US population, and in general having lower levels of educational attainment, lower income, worse perceptions of the health services available in their community and worse overall morbidity and mortality. 10 In the study by Pettey et al. all 29 participants met the criteria for poverty. Low socioeconomic status was evident in the qualitative data collected, particularly issues relating to segregation of African American patients where family members were historically treated in ‘coloured wards’, lack of explanation from medical staff about the causes of ill health or death of family members, and acknowledgement of poor diet, physical
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call