The Hmong and Health Care in Merced County, California

• Main Authors: Marilyn Mochel, Miriam Warner
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hmong Studies Journal 1998-01-01
• Series: Hmong Studies Journal
• Subjects: Hmong Americans; Public Health
• Online Access: http://hmongstudies.com/HSJ-v2n2_Warner.pdf

This article discusses the linguistic and cultural barriersthe Hmong encounter when they attempt to access the healthcare delivery system in Merced County, California. Thetheoretical portion of the article discusses the concepts ofculture, culture change, and some psychological issues thatresult from culture contact. Western biomedicine is viewed asa cultural system. Following this theoretical section, thecultural and linguistic barriers confronted by the Hmong whenthey attempt the access health care in Merced are discussedas well as some successful programs in the development ofculturally sensitive health care. These include the SoutheastAsian Surgical Coordination Team and the Culture Broker Team.The last part of the article covers, in some detail, amultidisciplinary program in cross-cultural health which isbeing implemented by health workers in Merced County.