That inequalities in health and healthcare access within the United States are pervasive has been well documented. Health disparities between African Americans, Hispanics and other multicultural populations are striking and apparent in life expectancy, death rates, infant mortality, and other measures of health status and risk conditions and behaviors.
New American Dimensions has decades of collective experience working with pharmaceutical companies, health care providers and professionals, non-profit organizations, and health insurance companies, providing insights to help these organizations better serve multicultural patients and their caregivers. Our research has found that each step of the healthcare process presents distinct challenges. While there are many commonalities between groups — lack of access to quality healthcare, mistrust or a lack of understanding of the healthcare industry, an over-reliance on emergency room services, and lower rates of compliance — the underlying causes of health and healthcare challenges are often unique to different multicultural segments. These may be related to demographic factors such as socioeconomics, but they may also be a function of culture. For instance, many multicultural segments are less likely than mainstream patients to seek out preventative care. However, the motivations of each may be different.
African Americans have a long history of exclusion from the healthcare system, and sometimes are mistrustful and skeptical that they will receive high quality care. Hispanic immigrants, on the other hand, might be uncertain how the healthcare system works in the United States or they might be apprehensive because of their legal status in this country. By contrast, LGBT patients are sometimes wary of homophobia or providers who may not possess the sensitivity or knowledge to address their unique concerns. Our expertise resides in helping our clients obtain a holistic understanding of patients and caregivers’ challenges, needs and drivers, with a firm grounding in culture. We pride ourselves on equipping our clients with the multicultural intelligence they require, specifically as it pertains to their unique marketing challenges, to be successful in a multicultural environment.