Hypertension and the Hmong Community: Using the Health Belief Model for Health Promotion

Hmong Americans are a minority population with a hypertensive health problem that is often undiagnosed and not medically managed. Vulnerable populations, such as ethnic minorities, are susceptible to poor health because of their unique perception of disease and treatment. Healthy People 2010 has goals that include promoting quality of life and eliminating health disparities. The Health Belief Model recognizes an individual's perceived susceptibility to disease, perceived severity of disease, perceived benefits of certain behaviors in reducing disease, and perceived barriers, such as cost, to preventive action. Nurses and other health care professionals are in a unique position to promote health in these vulnerable populations by using the Health Belief Model. Health promotion includes identifying barriers, empowering individuals through knowledge, as well as encouraging and educating positive health behaviors.