Questions to Consider in your Search for Information about the Community Historical Issues What is the history of the community? What name or names do the cultural groups use to refer to themselves? What is the significance of the different names? What are the major differences between cultural groups in your target community, particularly across generational, educational, socio-economic and geographic lines? What have been the major historical events which describe the target group's experiences in the United States? What were and are the major conflicts between or among the cultural groups in the target community? What were the outcomes? What were and are the major conflicts within each group? What were the outcomes? Economic and Political Issues What are the different socio-economic levels of groups within the community? What is the political status of each group in the community (e.g. undocumented, refugee, legal immigrant, citizen)? What are the different literacy levels within groups? Are they literate/illiterate in English and/or their own language? What are the different education levels within groups? How is their health status affected by their economic and political status? What are the predominant health problems? How often is medical care used by these different groups? What types of care? What are the organizations that successfully serve the different groups within the target community? Are they governmental, religious, community, social service, political or ethnic in nature? Culture and Tradition-Specific Issues What are the values of the different groups in the community? How do various members of each cultural group define health and illness? What are some of the more common health beliefs and practices of community groups, both in general and with respect to specific problems? What are the predominant family structures within the community's cultural groups? Patriarchal, matriarchal, single parent household, extended families, etc.? What are some of the traditional roles of different family members in these cultural groups, particularly where health care is concerned? Who are the formal and informal leaders in the community, and what role do they have in the area of health promotion? How many languages and dialects are spoken? What are the formal and informal channels of communication within and between different groups? Medical Orientation What are the group's general beliefs about the cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease? What are the group's attitudes towards "Western" medicine? In general, what has been the experience of different groups when trying to access the health care system? To what extent is there use of traditional medicine or healers? Where do people go for health information? Diet What are traditional foods, and what role do they play in health, religion, and social activities? How has diet here in the U.S. changed over time as compared to in their country of origin? Is there access to foods that constitute traditional diet? Are there acceptable substitutes? Religion What are the different religions practiced within the cultural groups in the community? How is practice of their religion influenced by their culture? What is the size of membership, and who are the members? Who are the religious leaders, and what is their role in the larger community? Are there conflicts among or within the various religious groups? What involvement do various religious groups have in the area of health education and promotion? Do religious beliefs conflict with the philosophy of health promotion? Can the beliefs be incorporated into your program? Contributor Eric Wadud Bill Berkowitz
