Cultural factors in preventive care: African-Americans.

Abstract

In summary, the implications for healthcare practitioners in caring for African American patients in a culturally sensitive manner include: Gaining trust, and understanding the historical distrust of the health care system Understanding and employing the kinship web in decisions regarding screening and treatment Involving the church in developing and delivering prevention and care messages Asking patients about the meaning of words or phrases Asking patients about the use of alternative medicines and herbs Tailoring messages about prevention to depictions of real life situations Paying attention to body language and other nonverbal communication.