Present Day Health Care Issues
Presently, Native Hawaiians Elders in Hawaii are struggling with numerous health issues. These health issues span from diseases such as: obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular problems, just to name a few. There are a vast amount of reasons as to how this epidemic of health issues came about through history, like listed in the previous tabs, but the factors in the modern day that reinforce or weaken the Hawaiian population is mostly based upon the amounts of Westernization that the Native Hawaiian population are living through. Meaning, that Westernization and education about the health issues are the most important in deciphering how Hawaiian health is where it is today.
Most importantly, the current Native Hawaiian populations' diet makes a large impact in regards to obesity. Today, an American societies' perception of "Hawaiian food" is advertised as a meal that is bought from the L&L food chain, and consists of macaroni salad, two to three heaping scoops of rice, some other type of "side", and usually chicken katsu. This is far-fetched from what an actual Hawaiian food plate consists of. Ancient Hawaiians previously "ate off the land". The misunderstanding of the representation of what Hawaiian food is comes from the immigration and assimilation of other ethnic groups in Hawaii. The "hapa" foods (mixed culture), comes from migrants from all different countries, coming to Hawaii and naturally, bringing food from their liking to Hawaii. These foods may not necessarily be the healthiest options.
In American society today, members of a lower socioeconomic class have limited access to healthy foods, and have a harder time attaining them. This is due to transportation issues. Transportation plays a huge role in the attainment of the healthy foods, but when there is poor transportation on the Hawaiian islands, less Native Hawaiians have the opportunity to go to the store and buy groceries. Class/economic factors, hereditary factors, and lifestyle choices have also been found to play a LARGE role in obesity research. It was discovered that 39% of Hawaiians are obese.
Most importantly, the current Native Hawaiian populations' diet makes a large impact in regards to obesity. Today, an American societies' perception of "Hawaiian food" is advertised as a meal that is bought from the L&L food chain, and consists of macaroni salad, two to three heaping scoops of rice, some other type of "side", and usually chicken katsu. This is far-fetched from what an actual Hawaiian food plate consists of. Ancient Hawaiians previously "ate off the land". The misunderstanding of the representation of what Hawaiian food is comes from the immigration and assimilation of other ethnic groups in Hawaii. The "hapa" foods (mixed culture), comes from migrants from all different countries, coming to Hawaii and naturally, bringing food from their liking to Hawaii. These foods may not necessarily be the healthiest options.
In American society today, members of a lower socioeconomic class have limited access to healthy foods, and have a harder time attaining them. This is due to transportation issues. Transportation plays a huge role in the attainment of the healthy foods, but when there is poor transportation on the Hawaiian islands, less Native Hawaiians have the opportunity to go to the store and buy groceries. Class/economic factors, hereditary factors, and lifestyle choices have also been found to play a LARGE role in obesity research. It was discovered that 39% of Hawaiians are obese.
Lunalilo Home and Tackling Native Hawaiian Elder Healthcare
Lunalilo Home was opened over 130 years ago, by King William Charles Lunalilo. He had hopes of providing the absolute best care to the kupuna of Hawaii. Through this trust fund that he established, he hoped to serve the less fortunate Hawaiian elderly population. Much importance is placed on family, and collectivism in the Hawaiian culture, and the King was no exception in deciding to find a proper form of care for those that are older, and helped to raise their families.
In 2007, the Lunalilo Home had to open it's door to ALL ethnic groups in order to encourage more funding. The trust currently has $9 million dollars left. The cost of living in any type of elder home situation tends to be costly. But, luckily for the Native Hawaiian population, the Lunalilo home is opened to paying for half of the cost of the stay, as long as the client can afford to pay the other half. This is NOT offered to any other ethnic background, but Native Hawaiian. With that being said, the home does not accept Medicare, and looks to helping those with financial problems.
The Lunalilo Home is a home that finds importance in integrating the best possible practice in collaboration with Native Hawaiian values/traditions. Things like: disease prevention, health promotion, primary care services to Native Hawaiians are very important to the agency.
In 2007, the Lunalilo Home had to open it's door to ALL ethnic groups in order to encourage more funding. The trust currently has $9 million dollars left. The cost of living in any type of elder home situation tends to be costly. But, luckily for the Native Hawaiian population, the Lunalilo home is opened to paying for half of the cost of the stay, as long as the client can afford to pay the other half. This is NOT offered to any other ethnic background, but Native Hawaiian. With that being said, the home does not accept Medicare, and looks to helping those with financial problems.
The Lunalilo Home is a home that finds importance in integrating the best possible practice in collaboration with Native Hawaiian values/traditions. Things like: disease prevention, health promotion, primary care services to Native Hawaiians are very important to the agency.
Legislation
Acts and Rights DO EXSIST FOR HAWAIIANS! YES!
The "Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act" does just that. It is a grant that, described by grants.gov website, "is the policy of the United States in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligations to the indigenous people of Hawaii to (1) raise the health status of Native Hawaiians to the highest possible health level; and (2) provide existing Native Hawaiian health care programs with all resources necessary to effectuate this policy"
It describes how prior to contact with westerners, the Hawaiians were an organized nation, and that preservation of their cultural identity, ancestral territory, beliefs, customs, practices, language, and social institutions must be protected.
Additionally, there is census information from the 2001 census that promotes the Voting Rights Act. With the promoting of this Act to Native Hawaiians, it promotes equal access to employment, education, housing, racial disparities, and environmental risk-all affecting our young Native Hawaiians that eventually turn into Elders. These are all systemic issues that cause a "domino" effect within the realms of Native Hawaiian Healthcare.
Lastly, through community-based participatory research, all voices are heard. This is one of the most important parts in assessing the needs of Native Hawaiian people. This goes for all ages of Native Hawaiians because they are those who, like listed above, turn into our kupuna.
The "Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act" does just that. It is a grant that, described by grants.gov website, "is the policy of the United States in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligations to the indigenous people of Hawaii to (1) raise the health status of Native Hawaiians to the highest possible health level; and (2) provide existing Native Hawaiian health care programs with all resources necessary to effectuate this policy"
It describes how prior to contact with westerners, the Hawaiians were an organized nation, and that preservation of their cultural identity, ancestral territory, beliefs, customs, practices, language, and social institutions must be protected.
Additionally, there is census information from the 2001 census that promotes the Voting Rights Act. With the promoting of this Act to Native Hawaiians, it promotes equal access to employment, education, housing, racial disparities, and environmental risk-all affecting our young Native Hawaiians that eventually turn into Elders. These are all systemic issues that cause a "domino" effect within the realms of Native Hawaiian Healthcare.
Lastly, through community-based participatory research, all voices are heard. This is one of the most important parts in assessing the needs of Native Hawaiian people. This goes for all ages of Native Hawaiians because they are those who, like listed above, turn into our kupuna.
References-
Native Hawaiian Healthcare. Accessed on October 10, 2012. Retrieved from: http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/42C122.txt.
Wergowske, Gilbert and Blanchetter, Patricia. HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE OF ELDERS FROM NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER BACKGROUNDS. Accessed on October 10, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.stanford.edu/group/ethnoger/nativehawaiian.html
Todd, Brittany. Hawaiian "Local Food" Diet Compared to Traditional Native Hawaii Diet. Accessed on October 10, 2012. Retrieved from: http://brittanytodd.hubpages.com/hub/Hawaiian-Food-Culture-The-Evolution-and-Effects-of-Local-Food