Back Issue: Vol.11 No.3 (Summer 2025)
ISSN 2474-2309
HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND ETHICS
Pages: 1-13
Society’s deep divisions, fueled by individualism, competition, consumerism, rigid ideologies, and limited dialogue, have impacted health care, leading to weakened connections between providers and patients. In the U.S., heavy reliance on medical technology and the rise of AI have further eroded these intersubjective bonds, reducing empathetic engagement in care. To address this challenge, the paper explores insights from Christian mystics Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein. Teresa’s teachings on self-examination and humility, despite her life as a cloistered nun, influenced both her religious order and the broader Church. Meanwhile, Stein’s phenomenological approach emphasized empathy and “suffering with” others, viewing compassion as essential for genuine connections. Both mystics offer profound examples of intersubjectivity, fostering bonds of love and care with oneself, others, and the divine. Their insights provide healthcare professionals with a framework for creating intersubjective spaces that honor each patient’s unique experience. In a polarized society, insights from these mystics can help bridge divides, encouraging healthcare relationships grounded in empathy and compassion. This paper will argue that healthcare providers can benefit from the mystic approach in creating intersubjective spaces that facilitate the caregiving process in a society marked by profound divisions.
Pages: 14-24
As healthcare organizations navigate escalating financial pressures, technological advances, and shifting societal expectations, the imperative to foster authentic ethical cultures has never been greater. This paper critically examines the integration of ethics into hospital systems’ structural and operational fabric, arguing that ethical culture must be intentionally cultivated rather than passively assumed. Drawing from a rich historical analysis of bioethics and corporate social responsibility, and leveraging instructive case studies, including the collapse of Steward Health Care and the cultural rehabilitation of HCA Healthcare, his work interrogates the persistent challenges of resource allocation, psychological safety, and the tension between compliance and genuine moral leadership. Through a synthesis of empirical research and best-practice frameworks, the paper delineates actionable approaches for embedding ethical principles across leadership development, organizational metrics, transparent financial stewardship, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The analysis highlights that the establishment of a robust ethical infrastructure yields tangible benefits: enhancing organizational credibility, supporting workforce resilience, and strengthening trust among patients and communities. Healthcare executives and administrators will find practical guidance and strategic insights for transforming ethics from a policy aspiration into a dynamic driver of excellence, accountability, and sustainable organizational success.
Case studies
Pages: 25-36
Background: South Asians in the U.S. are a diverse group, with significant health disparities, particularly in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. While much of the existing research focuses on Asian Indians, there is a lack of studies specifically targeting Bangladeshi immigrants. Addressing these gaps in health literacy is essential to improve health outcomes in this population.
Methods: We conducted a pilot study using an exploratory design to assess diabetes health literacy (DaHL) among Bangladeshi immigrants in the U.S. We developed a 44-item questionnaire, validated through expert consultation and pilot testing. The survey was distributed via social media, utilizing virtual snowball sampling to reach participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha for reliability.
Results: More than half of the participants were categorized as overweight or obese according to Asian BMI standards. Nearly 28% had been told they were at risk for diabetes, and 16% had been diagnosed with high blood glucose or impaired fasting glucose. Physical activity levels were low, with 35% engaging in exercise less than once a week. Awareness of diabetes risk factors was moderate, with 84% identifying family history as a risk factor. However, there were knowledge gaps, particularly regarding hypertension and pregnancy as additional risks. Culturally specific barriers were also noted, such as 23% citing a lack of culturally appropriate exercise clothing and 15% resisting modifications to traditional diets. Additionally, only 40% of participants reported receiving diabetes information from healthcare providers, while 20% preferred health materials in their native language.
Conclusion: This pilot highlights significant gaps in diabetes health literacy among Bangladeshi immigrants and the need for culturally tailored interventions.
Keywords: diabetes, health literacy, Bangladeshi immigrants, South Asian health, chronic disease disparities