Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

exp. 5

Anna-

With regards to your experiment #5, I found the same thing, that many Aramark employees on our campus are from other countries and may perceive stress at much higher levels than we typically do.  I have witnessed employees in D HALL being very confused as to what they were supposed to be doing, simply because often times there is a communication barrier when communicating with managers of the food service dept.  Simply being able to communicate effectively greatly reduces stress in the workplace.  Having english as a second language would minimize effective language and serve as a contributor to higher stress levels.  

FOOD MENU

Anna- 

I found the same results after comparing my unhealthy menu to a healthy menu.  Cereal that is sugary and unhealthy is usually very cheap!  However, the cereal like the Kashi Go Lean cereal is much more expensive to buy.  I found that items in the Organic section of Martin's Grocery Store were much more expensive, and the portions and quantity of food was much less!  It would definitely be cheaper to live off of hot dogs!

AIDS

Anna-

I agreed with you that AIDs is a disease that is considered mostly pertaining to the male population.  I knew that before it was considered the "gay man's disease", and after class this past Tuesday, I was intrigued to hear about Shawn and Ryan White's stories of contracting the disease although neither Shawn or Ryan were homosexual.  Great Blog!

PCQ 7

PCQ #7

Chapter 11: 

         Gender is an important cultural factor that influences the behaviors that put someone at risk for HIV infection.  AIDS was originally seen as a disease of White gay men and a large portion of studies focus on this group; therefore, little is known about the psychosocial processes affecting women with the disease. Studies show that gay men infected with HIVE tend to be more economically advantaged, better educated, likely to be European American, and often have no dependents, relative to women infected with HIV. The text explains that women account for 44% of all estimated HIV infections worldwide, and the proportion of women infected is rapidly increasing all over the world. Low income women of color are especially at risk and Hispanic women are seven times more likely to get AIDS than European American women.

            Women are more likely than men to be infected with HIV via heterosexual sex; male to female transmission of HIV is eight times more likely than female to male transmission. Because seminal fluids can reside within the female vagina for a long period, the chance of infection greatly increases, whereas vaginal fluids can be easily washed off the male anatomy after sex. Risk of infection also increases as research displays that it is harder for women to raise the issue of condom use than it is for men.

            Race and ethnicity also influence the extent to which sexual mixing takes place, which has been found to have a central influence on HIV transmission rates. The text defines sexual mixing as the extent to which people engage in sexual activities with sexual partners from other sexual networks versus partners from their own network. Studies show that women are more likely than men to be heavy mixers and that Hispanic males and females are moiré likely than other males and females to be heavy mixers with African American males and White females reporting moderate levels of mixing. Young adult Hispanic and females report the most heavy mixing.

            Along with psychosocial cultural factors that influence the behaviors that put someone at risk for HIV infection, genetic research and the ability to hone in on specific parts of genes provide new genetic insights into cultural differences in AIDS. The great ethnic discrepancies in incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS compel more cross-cultural research, but this has unfortunately been a slow in developing.

Experiential 11: 

 

To Whom It May Concern:

           

            Power and privilege greatly affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in infection and treatment of HIV/AIDS in several ways. HIV has no cure and is transmitted sexually, in blood and in breast milk. While a cocktail of drugs can keep patients healthy, treatment is expensive and often the virus mutates until older drugs no longer affect it. Therefore, the rich and privileged are able to live longer because they have the money and the power to obtain an expensive AIDS cocktail to keep themselves healthy. It is substantially more difficult for people of lower socioeconomic status to afford and have access to these drugs; and therefore, live much less-healthy, shorter lives. This inequity in treatment of HIV/AIDS is incredibly unfair and something should be done about the high cost of AIDS cocktails to ensure every infected person adequate, equal treatment. Just because someone may be wealthy, famous, or powerful does not mean that they deserve to live a healthier, longer life with AIDS than someone of lower socioeconomic status.

            Research displays that people who live in high-risk communities, make a low income, and do not receive a good education are at a higher risk of HIV infection than are those who come from a more privileged life and have a high level of education. The majority of HIV/AIDS education and prevention is given to the latter group, who benefit the least from the knowledge. The information about the dangers of unsafe sex and HIV infection is not getting to the groups who are at high-risk to become infected. Therefore, the more powerful and the more privileged are much less likely to become infected with HIV than are those of less privilege and lower socioeconomic status. 

            There are obvious inequities in the infection and treatment of HIV/AIDS. AIDS has become a world pandemic and although great strides are being made in understanding the epidemiology of the disease, the number of infected people worldwide continues to grow at an alarming rate. It is clear that something must to be done to both educate and provide adequate treatment not only for the powerful and privileged, but for all mankind.

 

Thank you,

 

Anna Carta

PCQ 6

According to the text, a person’s sociocultural environment has many implications for how he or she copes with chronic illnesses. Friends and family and the society surrounding a person can make a huge difference in how he or she copes. For example, shows that if you get a chronic illness that is distained in society, you are likely to be discriminated against for having the disease, and research displays that this discrimination is likely to negatively influence your ability to cope with it.

Not only can sociocultural factors explain how one copes with a serious chronic illness, but the same factors can also explain the most common causes of illness and death. The text explains that the environment that you live in can accentuate a disease of help control it.  IF there are any stressful events happening around you, your anxiety will also increase, which will influence adjustment to the disease. Research has traced the different ways that unhealthy environments can reduce social support and hurt adaptation to illness.

The importance of social factors, including family and community structures, increases when the person with the chronic illness is a child. It is important to have neighborhoods and surrounding communities that can assist not just the child, but also the family coping with chronic illnesses. When adolescents are surrounded by a dangerous neighborhood, they become much more susceptible to engaging in risky behavior that will clearly accentuate the course of their chronic illness.

 

Dear Hospital Administration,

 

            A strong understanding of cultural variations in death and dying is an important aspect of health care that should not be ignored. Because cultural variations in healthcare are so influential; both the patients’ and the providers’ cultural approaches to the course of disease and illness affect patients’ care-seeking behavior and treatment opinions, choices, and compliance Certain cultures, religions, and societies see chronic illness and death as something that an entire family or community has to cope with. Thus, it is important that support be provided to not only the individual, but also to the ill patient.

            Along with culture, religion plays a key role in understanding differences in coping with chronic illness and death. Religious coping is correlated with active but not passive coping and directly related to psychological well being. In order to better accommodate the terminally ill and their loved ones, interventions and community-based outreach approaches should embrace an appreciation for expressions and experiences of spirituality for both patients and caregivers.

            Finally, it is important that social support is given to terminally ill patients. Studies show that people with more social support have more positive adjustment to chronic illness. A socially supportive environment has been proven to make the patient more likely to use active coping and take a role in dealing with the illnesses versus disengaging and getting worse.

 

I hope you keep these suggestions in mind.

 

Thanks You,

 

Anna Carta

PCQ 5

Chapter 7

 

            There is no longer just one food pyramid for all; there are 12 individually tailored models for different age groups and men versus women. Along with these differing food pyramids, Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust of Cambridge, MA developed food pyramids for different cultural groups including; Mediterranean, Asian, and Latino Diet Pyramids that incorporate habits of various cultural groups in the United States.

            The main difference between these pyramids and the standard USDA Pyramid is that the culturally diverse pyramids illustrate proportions of food to be consumed and not exact serving sizes. Also, the Oldways pyramids show foods specific to the different cultures and suggest consumption amounts over a period of 2 to 3 days, weeks, or even months in contrast to the USDA guide. These different guides highlight the fact that what we often is deeply tied to our cultural background. Because the United States full of people from many various cultures, it is important to recognize the differences in health and diet among different cultures. What may be healthiest and best for one may not be for another because different cultures have different beliefs about what should be eaten.

 

Day 1:

 

Healthy Food Menus

 

            Breakfast:

                        -Bowl of Kashi “Go Lean Crunch” with a cup of skim milk ($4.00)

                        -1 Banana (.54 cents per pound)

                        -2 cups of Orange Juice ($1.89)

            Lunch:

-1 large salad with tomatoes, onions, romaine lettuce, cucumber slices, and low fat Italian dressing (about $6.00)

-1 granola bar (box = $5.26)

-2 cups of water apple juice ($1.89)

            Dinner:

-1 half-cup whole-wheat spaghetti with one-forth cup organic marinara sauce and two ounces ground turkey. ($3.19 + 6.95 + 8.89)

-2 cups cooked green vegetables such as asparagus, spinach or broccoli ($3.05)

Total = About $41.66

 

Junk Food Menu

           

            Breakfast:

                        -1 Pop-Tart ($3.09)

                        -1 Coca-Cola ($1.00)

            Lunch:

                        -1 Big Mac Meal with fries (5.99)

                        -1 Large Dr. Pepper ($1.00)

            Dinner:

                        -2 Hot Dogs ($4.32)

                        -Oreos ($3.06)

                        -2 Beers ($2.99)

Total = $21.45

 

Day 2:

 

Healthy Food Menu

 

            Breakfast:

                        -1 Bowl of Kashi “Go Lean Crunch”

                        -1 Banana

                        -One Cup of Orange Juice

            Lunch:

                        -1 Bowl of Amy’s Lentil Soup

                        -5-6 Wheat Thins with Humus

                        -1 Cup of V8 Juice

            Dinner:

                        -One Cup of Broccoli

                        -1 Chicken Breast

                        -One Cup of Organic Wild Grain Rice

                        -2 Cups of Water

 

Junk Food Menu

 

            Breakfast:

                        -2 Bowls of Capitan Crunch

                        -1 Coca Cola

            Lunch:

                        -6 Chicken Nuggets

                        -2 Servings of French Fries

                        -1 Cup of Soda

            Dinner:

                        -3 Beef Tacos

                        -Several Servings of Nachos

                        -2 Beers

 

Day 3:

 

Healthy Food Menu

 

            Breakfast:

                        -Organic Yogurt with Granola and Berries

                        -1 Cup of V8 Juice

            Lunch:

-Sandwich with whole wheat bread, low fat cheese, turkey, and light mayo

-1 Glass of Water

-1 Banana

            Dinner:

-Tofu stir-fry with organic frozen vegetables, silken tofu, and light teriyaki sauce

-1/2 Cup of white rice

-1 glass of red wine

 

Junk Food Menu

 

                        Breakfast:

                                    -2 Bowls of Capitan Crunch

                                    -1 Soda

                        Lunch:

                                    -2 Slices of pizza

                                    -3 pieces of garlic bread

                                    -1 Soda

                        Dinner:

                                    -1 Hamburger

                                    -6 cookies

                                    -1 Cup of water

 

Day 4:

 

Healthy Food Menu

 

            Breakfast:

                        -Organic yogurt with berries and granola

                        -1 cup of orange juice

            Lunch:

                        -Wheat thins with hummus

                        -1 Cup of Broccoli

                        -1 Cup of V8 Juice

            Dinner:

                        -1 Cup of green beans

                        -2 Servings of organic wild grain rice

                        -1 Chicken breast

                        -1 cup of water

           

 

Junk Food Menu

           

            Breakfast:

                        -2 Pop-Tarts

                        -1 Cup of water

            Lunch:

                        -Chicken Sandwich with mayo and white bread

                        -Large serving of French fries (about 1 cup)

                        -1 Soda

            Dinner:

                        -3 Slices of pizza

                        -5 Cookies

                        -1 cup of water

 

Day 5:

 

Healthy Food Menu

 

            Breakfast:

                        -1 Bowl of Kashi “Go Lean Crunch”

                        -1 Banana

            Lunch:

                        -1 Large Salad with low fat Italian dressing

                        -1 Organic granola bar

                        -1 Glass of V8 juice

            Dinner:

                        -1 Serving of whole grain pasta with low fat organic marinara sauce

                        -1 Cup of broccoli

                        -1 cup of skim milk

 

Junk Food Menu

           

            Breakfast:

                        -2 Pop Tarts

            Lunch:

                        -1 Big Mac Meal with Fries

                        -1 Milk Shake

            Dinner:

                        -3 Slices of Pizza

                        -2 Tacos

                        -1 Beer

 

Total for Healthy Food Menu = Around $208.03

 

Total for Junk Food Menu = Around $105.50

           

            It is clear that it is much more expensive to eat a healthy diet than a poor diet consisting of primarily junk food. It costs almost twice as much to eat healthy than to eat food of lower nutritional quality. It is obvious that although people of low socioeconomic status may want to make good food choices, it may not be possible for them to spend such a great amount of money on food for their family per week. With bills to pay and children to feed, it would be difficult for the lower class community to justify spending such an absurd amount of money on healthy, expensive food. Therefore, it makes sense that those of low SES are often unhealthy and in poor shape due to their diet made up primarily of junk food. It is important for these people to be educated on the importance of eating healthy and how it will greatly benefit themselves and their families. We should work to create healthy, low-cost menus for the lower class so that they can still eat properly while saving money. 

 

                                   

                       

 

PCQ 4

Chapter 5:

 

            The text defines coping styles as general predispositions to dealing with stress. It explains that there are two different types of coping styles to deal with stress: approach coping and avoidant coping. An individual can approach a stressor and make active efforts to resolve it or try to avoid the problem. The text describes another coping style called emotion-focused coping, which uses either mental or behavioral methods to deal with the feelings resulting from stress.

            In my demonstration of the main coping styles, person X is a 25-year-old man from Italy or low economic status. It would be optimal for person X to use approach coping to deal with paying his bills on time. It would be optimal for person X to deal with his child’s terminal illness at first by practicing avoidant or emotion-focused coping. As the textbook explains, it is best to match the type of coping you use with the situation and with your comfort level. Therefore, the best type of coping for one person or one situation may not necessarily be best for another.

 

           

            Experiential 5:

 

            For the people working at Aramark on campus, there may be different optimal stress management tactics that may make their lives at work less stressful and more enjoyable. Many of the Aramark employees on JMU’s campus come from various other countries from all over the world. The fact that many of them are new to the country and the English language may cause severe stress in the workplace. It is important for Aramark employers to understand the cultures that the employees come from to better help them with stress management.

            Social support is one of the most important factors in the study of stress and coping so it may be incredibly beneficial for Aramark employees to find support within the community of other workers who are likely to be coping with the same types of stressors. It make be helpful for Aramark employers to set up a support system for the employees and have several students or volunteers to help the employees who are new to the country get acclimated and comfortable in their new surroundings. 

PCQ 3

Chapter 4: What are the key ways that culture can influence the experience of stress?

            Different cultural groups have different expectations for various aspects of life, and these different expectations can make a low-threat event to one cultural group be a high-threat event to another group. The text explains that culture strongly influences the experience of stress. Due to the fact that not everyone in America is treated the same, members of some cultural groups may experience more stress than others. For example, because many businesses are male dominated, it can be stressful for a female manager working around a group of all male managers.

            Age often interacts with gender to differentially influence how much stress someone experiences. Together with age and gender cultural differences, some of the most critical differences in the experience of stress are due to race and ethnicity. According to the text, many minority groups experience high levels of stress because of their ethnicity, race, or religious beliefs.

 

Experiential 4

Monthly Budget:

Rent: $600

Food: $400

Diapers: $100

Gas: $100

Utilities/Electricity: $100

Medical Expenses: $200

Clothing: $20

At the end of the month, there would only be $113.33 left for childcare expenses, which would not be nearly enough to sustain a family of four children for a month. I looked through the local Harrisonburg paper and I checked the local Craigslist postings to see how difficult it would be to find childcare from 11-7. I discovered that it would be incredibly difficult to find childcare for these hours and for such low pay. It would be nearly impossible to find a sitter who would provide childcare for four children for only $113 a month.

I can’t imagine how difficult and stressful it would be for a mother of four to provide for her family with such a small monthly budget. It would be incredibly difficult to give your children a good life with such a small amount of money; the stress on the mother would be incredibly high in this situation.

 

PCQ

Throughout Chapter 1, the text addresses why cultural differences are important in the context of health. The definition of what is healthy varies from person to person and is strongly influenced by his or her way of thinking and his or her upbringing. A person’s cultural background makes a big difference in how they define “healthy” because many different things that we do influence our health – things that often vary by culture as well. According to the Chapter 1, aspects of the specific culture we belong to correspondingly influence each of our health behaviors.

            To further enhance my understanding of the impact that one’s culture has on home people defined what is healthy, I asked two people from different cultures to define what it means to be healthy. First, I interviewed my father who grew up in Sardinia; a beautiful, small island off of the coast of Italy. Sardinia is a very family oriented area with little emphasis on physical beauty. When I asked my dad how he defined “healthy,” he explained that his perception of health has changed drastically since he moved to the United States twenty-three years ago. He explained that growing up in Italy, to be healthy simply meant to not be physically sick. There was little emphasis on exercise, physical attractiveness, mental health, or preventative healthcare in Sardinia while he was growing up. He continued by explaining that since moving to the United States, he has begun to feel as though his entire well being must be in near perfect condition to be able to call himself truly healthy.

            Next, I interviewed my good friend, Patrick, who grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Patrick made several interesting points about how South Africans define what it means to be healthy. He explained that since there is such a massive split of wealth in South Africa, there are two major definitions of health. South Africans of low SES define “healthy,” similar to the way my father grew up thinking; to be healthy, one must simply not be sick. Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country, many poor South Africans have low standards for what it means to be healthy because so many people are sick and dying in their country. However, Patrick explained that for the wealthier South Africans, to be healthy meant to be in peak physical condition.

            It was incredibly interesting to hear how people from different cultures define what it means to be healthy in such different ways. Growing up in the United States, in a middle class family, I define “healthy” similar to the way Patrick described. I believe that in order to be healthy; one must be mentally healthy, physically fit, with no illness. After reading the chapter and interviewing my father and Patrick, I believe that it is safe to say that every single person, from every single culture has their own unique definition of what it means to be healthy