Cultural considerations in the treatment of craniofacial malformations in African Americans.

Abstract

African Americans represent the second largest ethnic group in the United States. Even though there are mixtures of other races and cultures, their primary ancestry is African. Because of their heritage and cultural practices in the United States, the acceptance of the diagnosis and treatment of craniofacial anomalies is different from that of other groups. Positive aspects of the culture that augment the treatment of disorders include the strength of the family and a strong religious belief system. Factors that may impede the effectiveness of clinical intervention are economics and accessibility to medical care.