While recognizing that there are many similarities among people from the same culture, it is important for health care providers to remember that each individual has a unique personal history, belief system, communication style and health status. What may be true about some or most individuals from a particular region or country may not be true of all individuals from that region or country.

Some differences to look for include:

• People from rural areas may have been living a more traditional lifestyle than people who have emigrated to the U.S. from urban areas.

• Economic status and education can vary greatly among people from the same country.

• People from the same country may have migrated to the U.S. for very different reasons, including seeking economic opportunity, escaping religious or ethnic persecution, fleeing civil strife, or joining relatives in America.

• There are important intra-region and intra-group variations among people from the same country, and cultural variations may be marked among generations.