OJIN Issue: "The Many Faces of Diversity"

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

OJIN's latest topic addresses "The Many Faces of

Diversity" in relation to health care and emphasizes the

need for providers to practice culturally competent care.

Dee Baldwin's article presents an historical overview of

diversity in the United States and describes current

disparities in American health and health care related to

ethnic/racial minorities. This article defines disparities in

health and health care and offers solutions around these

unequal burdens.

Josepha Campinha-Bacote explains why cultural diversity

and cultural competence are terms that mean something

different to each and every person. Her article discusses

these terms and uses these concepts to provide a model of

cultural competence for the delivery of culturally

responsive health care services.

Rosalyn Watts discusses the historical experience of blacks

in America, disparities in health for this minority group,

and strategies for providers to incorporate "race

consciousness" as an integral aspect of their professional

growth as culturally competent health care providers.

Jeri Milstead examines the policy process, which includes

agenda setting, government response, implementation, and

evaluation and links this process to health care diversity

issues to illustrate the need, ease, and opportunity for nurse

involvement in addressing these issues.

http://NursingWorld.org/ojin/topic20/tpc20ntr.htm