People of Puerto Rican Heritage

At present, Puerto Ricans remain among the largest Hispanic cultural groups living in the United States. Consequently, healthcare providers should have a working knowledge of the unique demographics, heritage, and culture of this group. Delivering culturally competent care requires considering the underlying health issues impacting the population as well as general views of the population on health, health promotion, and disease prevention. With these issues in mind, this chapter on people of Puerto Rico aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the culture using the 12 domains of the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. The topics included in this chapter offer a thorough evaluation of critical issues impacting the health of this group and the issues that healthcare providers should consider when delivering care. By integrating this information into practice, healthcare providers should be better prepared to meet the unique needs of Puerto Rican patients seeking care.