HPA 438 Lesson 5 Reflection
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Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg *
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Course
MISC
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by MegaOtterMaster110
Erin Merced
Penn State University
HPA 438
Professor Wafula
September 28, 2023
Health Promotion, Health Communication, and Health Information Technology (HIT)
Reflection
The video suggests several reasons why African-American men may face challenges in
accessing healthcare services. Stigma and fear associated with discussing health issues,
especially sensitive topics like colorectal cancer is one reason mentioned in the video that can
cause problems for African-American men accessing health services. African-American men also
have a lack of awareness about the importance of cancer screening and early detection, which
leads them to not see a doctor for checkups. The video mentions socioeconomic factors such as
limited access to insurance and financial barriers as a reason for African-American men having
problems accessing health services. Lastly, the video discusses how there are trust issues related
to the healthcare system due to historical disparities and discrimination. This is a major problem
and a big reason why African-American men and other races in general, have a hard time going
to the doctor and do not access health services when they need them.
The informative video presented some significant factors that can affect the health of
men, regardless of their race or ethnicity. It has been observed that men, in general, often tend to
be less proactive when it comes to their health and may postpone seeking medical assistance
until their symptoms become critical. A number of factors, including socioeconomic status,
societal stigma, and trust issues, can have a considerable impact on men from diverse
backgrounds.
Additional reasons preventing men from accessing healthcare, regardless of their
ethnicity, may include cultural norms and expectations that discourage men from seeking
medical attention, lack of transportation or geographical barriers to healthcare facilities, fear of
the medical procedures themselves, and language barriers, especially for non-English-speaking
populations.
There are a couple of different strategies or interventions that could be used to help
increase healthcare access for men, especially for cancer screening. One strategy could be
community-based education and awareness campaigns targeting men to promote the importance
of early screening for cancer and detection. They could educate men on the benefits of early
detection for cancer and explain what a screening would look like for a patient. Culturally
sensitive outreach programs that address specific concerns of different communities could be
useful since some cultures have beliefs that they follow and those may impact the care they
receive. Collaboration with community leaders, such as barbers and coaches, to serve as health
advocates could also increase healthcare access for men because these could be people they trust
and are comfortable around. Lastly, telehealth services could be used to overcome geographical
barriers and provide remote access for medical advice, which allows those who have
transportation issues or are embarrassed to go to the doctor a chance to talk to a doctor from the
comfort of their home.
While barbershops are a non-traditional but effective location for health promotion, other
potential settings could include sports events, workplaces, churches, recreational centers, or
community centers. These locations provide opportunities to reach men in familiar and
comfortable environments.
Perceived Susceptibility: Are men aware of their susceptibility to colorectal cancer?
Perceived Severity: Do they understand the seriousness of colorectal cancer if left undetected?
Perceived Benefits: Are they aware of the benefits of early screening and detection? Perceived
Barriers: What barriers, including cultural or logistical factors, hinder them from accessing
healthcare? Cues to Action: What prompts them to take action, such as community outreach or
trusted individuals like barbers? Self-Efficacy: Do they feel confident in their ability to access
healthcare and undergo screenings? These HBM constructs can help guide the development of
interventions and campaigns to address the barriers and promote healthcare access among men,
with a focus on early cancer screening and detection.
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References
Public Health Live!. (March 17th, 2016). Saving Lives: How New York State is Increasing
Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://vimeo.com/157970264
Wafula, E. (2022). L05 Health Belief Model (HBM). Retrieved from HPA 438: Serving Diverse
Populations website:
https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2282725/pages/l05-health-
belief-model-hbm?module_item_id=38997120