Question

How do culture specifics affects health?

Answer 1

Culture influence on Health:

It can be defined as the practices, beliefs and values of a group of people. It also includes the roles, behaviors and attitudes that must be followed by the individual of the group. It also includes the spiritual and religious views that are expected and accepted by a group or a community. There are various bases of differences that are seen in different cultures. These differences also influence the healthcare beliefs. The beliefs on illness, health and treatment also vary with variation In culture. The use of folk medicine and home remedies is one of the most common elements that are seen in vanous cultures. The belief in the cause or illness varies with variation in culture.

Culture affects health in following ways:

Acceptance of treatment, including who should be told, how and when.

Amount of control individuals have in controlling diseases.

Perception of youth and aging is different in different cultures.

Willingness to discuss diseases symptoms with health care provider is different

Use of direct versus indirect communication

Ex: The Asians believe that an imbalance in chi’i is responsible for disease. The methods of treatment used by them include acupuncture, acupressure and acumassage. In Hinduism, use Ayurvedic medicines tor the treatment of diseases and illness is seen.

The members of European American group relieve in using healthcare professionals and medical rechnology for the treatment of disease and illness. Hispanic Americans believe that health is a gift of god. It is expected that the individuals will maintain their health by achieving an equilibrium. A disease is a condition caused due to an imbalance in this equilibrium.