Why is cultural competence important in food services?
Many Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs and other programs providing meals to older adults are being challenged to meet the needs of their culturally diverse communities. In 1999, 16.1% of persons 65 years and older were minorities–8.1% were African-Americans, 2.3% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan. Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 5.3% of the older population. Minority populations are projected to grow to 25.4% of the elderly population in 2030 (1). This represents an increase by 219% for older minorities, including Hispanics (328%), African-Americans (131%), American Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts (147%), and Asians and Pacific Islanders (285%)(2). Health disparities exist in older adults because of differences in gender, race or ethnicity, income or education, disability or living in a rural location (1). Substantial disparities exist among racial and ethnic groups and by gender in mortality from
