How often is it that we encounter views such as “cultural differences” or “culture-related health beliefs” as the reasons why immigrants encounter disparities when approaching healthcare institutions? Is culture really to blame for the inequalities that migrants face when accessing healthcare systems? Why is this even an important question to ask?

There is no doubt that migrants face a hearth of vulnerabilities when settling in a new country, such as lack of language knowledge, unfamiliarity with institutions and access to labor market opportunities. But how do migrants access healthcare systems when they first arrive? How do they communicate their illnesses and what are their expectations in how doctors may diagnose them or communicate their methods of treatment?

If you do your homework in the suffocating amount of immigrant health literature that looks at how immigrants access healthcare facilities (as well as the quality of those services provided in terms of accommodating migrants’ specific needs), you begin to notice the creeping re-appearance of culture as an explanatory ground on the inequalities that migrants face.

How different could the culture of the host country and the country of departure be when comparing people’s health attitudes? This question of course relies on which ethnic group of people you observe as well as the countries of settlement: Turks in Germany, Africans in Italy, Chinese in Australia, Albanians in Macedonia. The migratory pathways and patterns are enormous, complex and almost impossible to summarize.

The point is not to undermine culture as an aspect to analyze when looking at the ways in which migrants integrate into their host country, in particular approach healthcare services. In fact, analyzing different understandings of culture regarding health has lead to an array of interesting ethnographic accounts of how different ethnic groups of people communicate health differently.

The point is, on the contrary, to look beyond the cultural explanations when looking at how migrants perceive or interact with healthcare institutions. The culture of a particular group of “ethnic” immigrants is not homogeneous, static or stationary. Migrants are a diverse group of people, and differ in mountainous ways in terms of their age, gender, socio-economic status, class, recency of arrival, education, city of settlement and departure.

For example, imagine two Italians, a man from Naples and a woman from Milan moving to America. Would the pathways through which these two people incorporate into America be the same? Would the “culture” of these two people be the same? Here, gender would play an imperative role, as would ‘city of departure’, as the cultural traditions, behaviors and customs between Naples and Milan are vastly different. Migrants are therefore diverse; they come from different places, have different life trajectories and come from various cities. It is important to acknowledge this because scholars attend to migrants as if they share strong cultural bonds, identity and unity. What about the people that don’t identify with their cultural groups and do not rely on their ethnic background to access institutional services?

So why do scholars, scientists and academics continue to use the “cultural” model when exploring not only how migrants access health systems, but incorporate into the society in general? Perhaps looking at this through a political dimension could help answer the question. It is simply in the interest of nations and policymaking strategies to homogenize ethnic groups of migrants. If you endorse the pluralism and diversity of people, then you must also adopt and embrace multicultural policies. However, multicultural policies are not always in the interest of all countries.

Politics aside, the point is to give more attention to diversity and difference, rather than lumping people into a particular cultural or ethnic category. This clearly impacts the way we view each other, the stereotypes that are created and perpetuated. Stereotypes are useful for one thing only: funny films. But looking at the ways in which they impact institutions and policies is important, and affects a lot of people.

Step outside the cultural model, look at culture through a meticulous lens and try not to base assumptions on cultural unity.

Image credit: Doctors of the World UK via Flickr.com

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Washington, U.S.A.  – You don’t have to be outdoors to have a fun summer. In fact, some of the most gratifying and enriching activities might happen within the four walls of one of our country’s 123,000 public libraries.

It’s easy to see why. Libraries offer an easy, accessible and low cost way to read books and magazines, watch videos and learn about new worlds in several languages, and enjoy a wide range of cultural events such as concerts and art exhibitions.

To receive all the benefits of a public library, you need a library card, which you can get for free at your local branch. So if you’re thinking of what to do this summer, consider these four reasons why you should visit a public library. You might be surprised!

1) Digital books. Libraries have adapted to changes in technology, and today many offer e-books which you can borrow for a certain time free of charge. You can check out e-books the same way as you do regular books, except you need an electronic device (e-reader). Some libraries even lend out e-book readers—check with your local library to see if an electronic reader is available for use. Besides print and digital books, you can also download audio books, music and videos at some libraries. Since many libraries have their own websites, you can access many of their services online from the comfort of your home.

2) Information in many languages. Generally speaking, public libraries have books in several languages. Be sure to check out the vast collections of books, magazines and music in languages other than English for adults and children. Some libraries even offer language classes or tutors for students which is especially useful for those who plan to attend summer school. You can also find books and CDs to improve English speaking and writing skills. Who would’ve thought that libraries could be a great place to learn another language!

3) Programs and events for the whole family. You don’t have to read a book to experience art and culture at your library. Many public libraries sponsor and organize different types of programs and cultural events, such as concerts, and photography and film exhibitions. Lots of libraries offer special summer programs for people of all ages, including computer classes, storytelling for children, fun and educational games, as well has reading activities, and more.

4) Specialized resources. For many people, the Internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Public libraries often have a computer room for people who do not have computers or Internet access at home –  or for those who just want to browse the web in a relaxed atmosphere where they can concentrate. Libraries also have highly skilled professionals that can help you find what you’re looking for or recommend books and resources for practically anything—including the answer to the question “how long does summer last?”

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New York, U.S.A. – In today’s challenging global economic environment, businesses everywhere are looking for a critical edge to boost them past competitors and into market leaders. For many successful companies, that edge can be found in a strong culture built around the brand and extended to employees who act as brand ambassadors, fostering deep engagements with vendors, suppliers, business partners, and other key stakeholders.

At the Extending Your Brand to Employees Conference, hosted by The Conference Board in New York City on June 19 and 20, this vital concept will be thoroughly explored over two days and will feature best-practice experts who will discuss how Dolby, Microsoft, IBM, LinkedIn, Mayo Clinic, FedEx, Pfizer, 3M, and other leading corporations are:

• Building and reinforcing company culture and core values with employees on a regular basis
• Creating and maintaining workforce behaviors that support positive brand experiences
• Creating deep brand engagement with employees across business units and functions
• Engaging employees in a new brand during an acquisition
• Learning techniques to develop a “one-company” culture
• Maximizing a company’s LinkedIn profile
• Realizing the value of collaboration within your company and driving profitability
• Unlocking business opportunities and driving success with the right corporate culture

Attendees will hear from executives such as Paul Westbrook, Principal at Westbrook Consulting and formerly a Senior Vice President with Ritz-Carlton, about how creating a culture of engaged employees can create customers for life. In the attached video clip, Mr. Westbrook discusses how Ritz-Carlton employees embody the company’s brand values and the importance of creating a strong internal culture:

More details on the conference can be found here

The conference is geared toward corporate executives responsible for internal communications, corporate affairs, human resources, branding, corporate governance, investor relations, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, and other corporate executives interested in better understanding how to build internal cultures that engage employees, boost productivity and improve financial performance.

Members of the media who are interested in attending should contact Peter Tulupman at (212) 339-0231, peter.tulupman@conference-board.org.

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During the first week of February, ‘Fro Fashion Week, the ultimate celebration of natural hair, will be taking place in Atlanta, GA. I will be there front and center in the middle of all the awesomeness. What is natural hair you ask? Why is there so much hype about it? I mean, it’s just hair right? Well, there’s a little bit of history that goes behind the reasons why ‘Fro Fashion Week and other such events take place.

During the late 1800s, European-Americans favored African-American women whose hair was similar to European-American hair, which meant that their hair was not “kinky” or “nappy.”

This later sparked the invention of the metal hot comb, which straightens African-American hair by using heat. A chemical hair straightener, which is called a relaxer, was also invented. It straightens the hair using sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, which both possess the ability to melt metal.[1] Many people are not aware that relaxers are potentially dangerous and can cause permanent injury.[2]

African-Americans began to straighten their hair in hopes of getting into the good graces of European-Americans. Today, European-American society’s perception of natural hair is not as extreme, but it is still not socially accepted. The purpose of events like ‘Fro Fashion Week is to encourage African-American women to love their natural hair.

No culture should be ashamed of who they are or do something drastic to change who they are in order to be accepted. Natural hair events are currently targeting African-American women with natural hair, and they encourage them to support other naturals in loving their hair the way it is.

African-American women with natural hair encounter negative influences in regards to their hair, such as being discriminated at work, hearing suggestions from friends and family to permanently straighten their hair, and hearing the phrase, “You have that good hair,” which means the curls in their hair are looser and not “nappy.”

These events also help to counter these negative influences and remind African-American women with natural hair that their hair is beautiful the way it is despite what society tells them. The events are not just for those with natural hair. Women with relaxed hair are also encouraged to attend these events.

Not to be persuaded or hypnotized into going natural, but to learn more about it and to learn to accept it and the choices of those with natural hair. Plus, ‘Fro Fashion Week is full of activities that are not just for those with natural hair. There is enough fun for everyone. I will be attending, and when I come come back, I will let you in on the experience.

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The Chinese Village Zisiqiao plays host to a plethora of snake breeds including cobras, vipers and pythons.  The reason for these scaly creatures’ prominence in the village you ask? The snakes play an integral role in the realm of food and medicine.  The snakes possess medicinal assets that are highly distinguished in the Chinese culture.  The properties of the snake are generally consumed as either drink or soup by people and are said to improve individual immunity.

These significant functions have allowed for an extremely profitable business to arise in this province tucked in China’s Eastern Zhejiang.  A staggering profit continues to generate by this ample snake breeding- a profit soaring in the millions. The business undoubtedly proves to be an exceptional means of revenue for the village that would depend only on farming if left without the snake breeding business.

This profitable method of snake breeding was primarily realized in 1985 when Yang Hongchang, a 60 year old farmer began to dabble in the field.  Within a few years Hongchang acquired a hefty profit due to the snake breeding. This, in turn, prompted other villagers to venture into this serpent sphere.

Hongchang has expanded this profitable scheme into an empire that has cascaded into the creation of a variety of snake products.  Hongchang has expressed that “the company researches on the snakes and they hand them over to the farms for breeding.  They said this model was working very well” (Reuters). The breeder also revealed that this model in particular has gained wide support across the province and county due to the method’s accommodating nature.  Above all the snake method of the village has been a corporation that works alongside the farming communities of the village.

Immense research has been increasingly placed into the domain of snake breeding; no longer is it simply a male matched with a female for basic breeding but now the villages more fastidious research is uncovering what makes for the more efficient breeding outcomes.

With this extra efficient manner of approaching the world of snake breeding, an increasing demand for snake products is brimming at the forefront of minds; medical facilities to governmental groups are taking an interest.

The demand extends to countries such as Germany, Japan and even the United States.  Gao Chenchang store manager of the Hangzhou Woai Company cites that “each part of the snake is treasured”.   Consider that there are many people in China that “like to eat snakes”- the snake breeding business surely has planted a seed for a snake culture to robustly sprout in the region (Reuters).

Whether being used for their healing properties or ability to pacify a ravenous stomach, snakes have provided China with a profitable, unique and equally intriguing culture.

Evidently, China has achieved the task of looking past the infamous venom of the snake and uncovering their worthwhile treasures.

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