Time Schedule:
David A. Acosta
FAMED 557
Seattle Campus
Covers Hispanic culture and language, history of Hispanics in the United States, Hispanic health status issues, and effective strategies for working across cultures and linguistic barriers. Designed to help the learner understand and respond better to the healthcare needs of the Hispanic community.
Class description
In 2011 there were 51.9 million Hispanics living in the U.S. making up 16.7% of the total U.S. population and representing the largest and fastest growing population in the nation. Similarly, Hispanics make up the largest ethnic minority population in the WWAMI region. This course will provide the health professional student with an introduction to the Hispanic culture and language, the history of Hispanics in the U.S. , Hispanic health status issues, and effective strategies and techniques for working across cultures and linguistic barriers. The course is designed to help the learner to better understand and more effectively respond to the needs of this growing Hispanic population.
Student learning goals
Describe the historical perspective of health care provision for Hispanics in the U.S. over the past decade, and describe what the issues and barriers that this population has encountered;
Define acculturation and the variables that affect the process, and the impact of acculturation on health outcomes;
Explain the Hispanic perspective and cultural context of illness and health, and describe some of the common traditional Hispanic healing practices and their current use in the care of Hispanic health problems along with allopathic medicine;
Recognize the major barriers and the social determinants to health care for the Hispanic population;
Describe the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the most common mental health conditions and illness in Hispanics;
Recognize the leading causes of death and illness affecting Hispanics, and compare the current status of Hispanic health with other minority and white populations.
General method of instruction
Interactive lecture-discussion, small group discussions, film, and community events.
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites other than having an interest and a yearning desire to learn as much as you can about the Hispanic community. It is highly recommended that reading assignments are read (if available) before class to get the most out of the course.
Class assignments and grading
Reading assignments that will be assigned by each instructor.
Pass/Fail - 50% of your grade will be on your participation and attendance. You will be expected to attend all classes, with permission to miss one class during the quarter. The other 50% will be based on your performance on the two task assignments that the instructor will assign.
