Teaching Cultural Sensitivity for Health Professionals
Jacobo Kupersztoch, PhD, The Centro Comunitario Mexicano -DFW
Presented at the Dallas Conference
ABSTRACT: The distinctions between documented, legal and undocumentedmigrants will be explained as well as the effect of legislation onthe entry of migrants to the USA. Basic traditional diseases such as aire (wind) evil eye, accepted as such in México and not in the USA will be discussed.
The increasing number of Mexican migrants in the state of Texas projects that by 2040 80% of the population of Dallas County is going to be of Mexican origin. Therefore health professionals and students should be taught about the health care treatment that migrants are accustomed too in their country of origin and how to relate to these patients in a culturally sensitive way. The main provider of health care in Mexico is the Mexican Social Security System (IMSS) that cover near 40,000,000 workers and their families. Additionally federal and state employees as well as workers for the Mexican oil monopoly Pemex have access to their own health insurance. The premium is covered by the employer, the government, and the worker. The system has primary care offices and clinics, secondary and tertiary hospitals and centers. The care starts at the primary care centers and is referred to the next levels if required.