Cultural Psychology (Milena Juana Feldkamp)
HC 6: Chapters 13 & 14
Physical health
Variation in medical culture: (Some cultures even believe the primary cause of illness
is witchcraft.)
Western Eastern
Health = The absence of disease. Health = A balanced state, disease is an
imbalanced state between yin & yang
(Chinses medicine) or bhutas & waste
products (Ayurveda medicine)
Disease has specific identifiable cause Disease is an imbalanced state.
(internal or external)
Treatment: Eradicate cause (surgery) and Treatment: Restore balance (acupuncture,
take charge (influence). nutrition) and adjust.
How are people across the globe doing health wise?
Two ways of studying this question:
1. Across countries.
2. Within countries.
You can measure
- Life expectancy
- Infant mortality
- General health
- Chronic diseases
- Self-reported health
Findings:
- The life expectancy of boys and girls born into high-income countries are significantly
higher (16 and 19 years longer) than those born in low-income countries.
- Within country comparison revealed that ethnic groups vary in their health. African
Americans seem to have an increased risk when it comes to heart failure compared to
European Americans.
For a long time, these health differences were ascribed to genetic differences. A
whole line of research was established in search for an African-American
hypertension (= high blood pressure) gene. However a comparison of hypertension
rates between West Africans and European Americans revealed no difference.
Migrant health paradox
= When minorities have better health than the majority of the members of a culture.
Hispanic paradox, Latino paradox, epidemiologic paradox
= The epidemiological (study of health and disease) finding that Hispanic and Latino
Americans tend to have health outcomes “paradoxically” comparable to, or better than,
those of their U.S. non-Hispanic White counterparts, even though Hispanics have lower
average income and education. The specific cause of the phenomenon is poorly
understood, but some guesses are:
The decisive factor appears to be place of birth, raising the possibility that differing
birthing or neonatal practices might be involved via a lack of breastfeeding combined
with birth trauma imprinting.
Historical differences in smoking habits.
HC 6: Chapters 13 & 14
Physical health
Variation in medical culture: (Some cultures even believe the primary cause of illness
is witchcraft.)
Western Eastern
Health = The absence of disease. Health = A balanced state, disease is an
imbalanced state between yin & yang
(Chinses medicine) or bhutas & waste
products (Ayurveda medicine)
Disease has specific identifiable cause Disease is an imbalanced state.
(internal or external)
Treatment: Eradicate cause (surgery) and Treatment: Restore balance (acupuncture,
take charge (influence). nutrition) and adjust.
How are people across the globe doing health wise?
Two ways of studying this question:
1. Across countries.
2. Within countries.
You can measure
- Life expectancy
- Infant mortality
- General health
- Chronic diseases
- Self-reported health
Findings:
- The life expectancy of boys and girls born into high-income countries are significantly
higher (16 and 19 years longer) than those born in low-income countries.
- Within country comparison revealed that ethnic groups vary in their health. African
Americans seem to have an increased risk when it comes to heart failure compared to
European Americans.
For a long time, these health differences were ascribed to genetic differences. A
whole line of research was established in search for an African-American
hypertension (= high blood pressure) gene. However a comparison of hypertension
rates between West Africans and European Americans revealed no difference.
Migrant health paradox
= When minorities have better health than the majority of the members of a culture.
Hispanic paradox, Latino paradox, epidemiologic paradox
= The epidemiological (study of health and disease) finding that Hispanic and Latino
Americans tend to have health outcomes “paradoxically” comparable to, or better than,
those of their U.S. non-Hispanic White counterparts, even though Hispanics have lower
average income and education. The specific cause of the phenomenon is poorly
understood, but some guesses are:
The decisive factor appears to be place of birth, raising the possibility that differing
birthing or neonatal practices might be involved via a lack of breastfeeding combined
with birth trauma imprinting.
Historical differences in smoking habits.
