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1. Culture and Health Sample Essay
Culture and Health Sample EssayCulture determines people’s perception towards their
general health, illnesses and their pursuit of treatment. Indeed, it plays a significant role in
explaining the causes of illness among people of different cultures. It goes without saying
that different cultures have varying explanations for the cause of illness. While western
countries like the United States believe that illness results from derangement of the body’s
normal physiology, most cultures in the third world countries hold that illness results from
supernatural phenomena. In this regard, such beliefs also affect the pursuit of treatment. It
is known that representatives of the western culture believe in scientific approach to the
medical problems solution, as the problems are believed to be scientific ones. On the other
hand, people of the third world cultures believe in seeking spiritual intervention or prayer
during the illness. Culture and Health Sample EssayThis implies that the entire process of
illness is affected by people’s culture. Response to an illness starts from the acceptance of
the illness and adapting the sick role. Thus, the perception of the degree of sickness will
affect the amount of social responsibilities that people of a particular culture can exempt
themselves from. In the third world countries, there is no measure of the degree of sickness
and one could indulge in economic activities even when the rest could be therapeutic. This
will certainly not happen in the western culture, because people seek doctors’ advice
whenever they feel ill. In this regard, the doctor is able to advise them on the things that
have to be avoided until patients get well. It goes without saying that cultural beliefs can
drive one to exacerbate medical conditions. For instance, a patient struck with angina will
become worse if he or she engages in the strenuous activities. This is why culture plays a
great role in the process of illness treatment and the acceptance of the role of a sick person.
Culture and Health Sample EssayORDER A PLAGIARISM- FREE PAPER NOWThere are
certain unique cultures that significantly affect the patients’ relationship with the doctor.
This means that doctors and nurses should strive to understand these cultures so that they
offer the best care to their patients. For instance, among the Pacific Islanders, the extended
family must be engaged in every step of seeking medical attention. As a matter of fact, all
decisions regarding the pursuit of healthcare can only be made by the eldest male member
of the extended family. This does not only delay treatments, but also disregards the
principle of self-determination that is the core to the healthcare. In essence, this culture
believes that individual dignity and honor should come after the honor of the entire family.
Culture and Health Sample Essay. This is why a decision to seek medical attention is
exclusively left for elderly male members of the society. Among Asians, members of the

2. society give a great value to the desire to maintain social harmony. Thus, patients from
Asian culture are the least likely to disagree with their doctors even if they feel something is
not right. It could turn chaotic if the patient does not understand the frequency of
medication and does not ask for further explanation. According to literature, Chinese
culture holds that individual behavior reflects on the entire family. Thus, patients may be
reluctant to report certain medical conditions, because they do not want to paint a negative
picture of the family. A typical example is that of mental illness. While the patient may be
seriously sick and unable to seek medical attention without assistance, the family members
would certainly avoid taking the patient to the hospital in order to preserve the name of the
family. This would eventually have very negative impact on the patient, because the
condition could become worse with time. Culture and Health Sample EssayThere are certain
cultures where marriage is based on the social, as well as mental well-being of the members
of that family. This implies that people would generally be reluctant to accept diagnosis of
diseases because of the fear of social repercussions. In particular, diseases like mental
retardation or emotional illness would significantly reduce the chances of members of a
particular family to get marital partners. The society basically believes that these diseases
follow family lines and are most likely to be inherited by the off-springs. Thus, suitors who
do not wish to bear children with mental problems would avoid marrying with the
members of certain families even if their partners are not directly affected. In Vietnam, the
culture is against any acceptance of counseling as a form of intervention to mental health.
They basically wish to avoid anything that will impel them to disclose personal secrets. In
this regard, it will be very difficult for health professionals to deal with such patients. The
doctor has to establish a personal relation with the patient, if counseling is to succeed. It
should be noted that counseling is the best therapy for most mental illnesses. This shows
the extent to which culture can affect health. Culture and Health Sample Essay