Asking and Outsider: An Integrative Approach to Emergent Themes Analysis of Mutinational Perpectives on Health in the United States

Abstract

With health issues including increasing prevalence of obesity, high rates of cardiovascular disease and cultural lack of inactivity, health in the United States is an important challenge of social wellbeing and stability. This investigation explores the opinions and perspectives of a group of non-U.S. citizens, and academic experts, on health issues in the United States. A methodology of obtaining the perspectives of those whose lives exist and whose opinions were formed outside of the focal cultural framework as a means to illuminate U.S.-based health challenges is employed. A set of eight emergent themes, including healthy lifestyle, health challenges, structural changes, access to healthcare, mental health, nutrition, alternative medicine and pharmaceuticals are discussed and recommendations for social and policy-based practices to improve health outcomes in the U.S. are set forth based upon the strongest of these themes.