General Instructions

In this learning activity, you will compare and contrast the health status and experiences of two (2) different races and/or ethnic groups regarding mental health and substance use disorders and discuss how race/ethnicity influences a patient’s health status and experiences.

Step 1: Select  

Select one racial/ ethnic minority in your country or region. 

• Examples include: Hispanics in the United States,  African Americans, Asian Americans etc.

Step 2: Compare and contrast

Compare and contrast your selected racial/ ethnic minority above with a racially privileged group or majority, i.e., “White” Americans etc., in terms of the following indicators:

• Health status 
• Healthcare access and affordable coverage
• Access to substance use and abuse care and treatment

Step 3: Respond 

Imagine you are a contributing writer for a medical journal tasked with writing an article for this month’s issue on Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Health. You are asked to write a piece that focuses explicitly on the health outcomes and experiences of the identified groups as it relates to Substance use and mental health. Prepare a 500-700 words written piece that discusses the following key components:

• Differences between your selected racial/ethnic minority group and racially privileged group in terms of: 

• Are they are eligible for coverage through the Health Insurance? 
• Are there any special provisions in place for the minority groups?
• What type of disadvantages/challenges does the selected group face in meeting their health needs? 

• How does access to treatment differ according to a patient’s gender?

• Health needs of the racial/ethnic minority groups and any disadvantages they may face
• Propose creative approaches to address the problem, promote health equity, and better access to substance use and abuse care and treatment.

Step 4: Share 

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 5: Interact 

Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of the rubric below. Provide a rationale for the grade you have provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”