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How Culture Affects our Perception of Health

Karen MacChesney, #821426814
NURS 160 50
Professor Sharon Aka
Thursday, October 11, 2012

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How Culture Pertains to Health

As technology changes and our thinking evolves, the manner in which we perceive health
evolves as well. Our perceptions of health are impacted by our own experiences, our beliefs,
religious influences, and perhaps most dramatically by our cultures. The following examination
of my personal definition of health, and the criteria I employ to determine it, is important to help
me understand how my own biases will affect the manner in which I may treat my future
patients. This, coupled with an examination of how another culture (Traditional Chinese
Medicine) views health, offers insight into the effect that culture has on ones perception of
health, and illustrates the importance of understanding and being sympathetic to patients who
have backgrounds that differ from my own.
A seemingly simple concept, yet deceptively complicated, opinions with respect to what
constitutes health are as varied as the cultures throughout the world. The way in which
individuals define health varies across genders, cultures and geographical locations. The World
Health Organization (WHO) defines health as, ... a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (World Health Organization,
1948). This definition has not changed since 1948, and I have chosen to utilize it here because it
fairly accurately mirrors my own definition of health. I define health as overall wellness - not
only as it relates to the physical body, but also as a state of mental stability and feelings of
security, spirituality and social well-being.
As I grow older and have new experiences, the criteria that I use to evaluate my own health
continually change. I therefore define health differently than I did fifteen years ago. Where
physical well-being was once my primary focus, today, as a married mother of four children, my

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health beliefs are different I believe it is important to live a balanced lifestyle in which my
mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are met. Accordingly, I believe it is important to
maintain a healthy weight, get regular checkups to guard against disease and illness, attend
church regularly, maintain good relationships with my family and friends, and to do my utmost
to control my life circumstances.
As a practicing Catholic, my relationship with God is an integral part of my life, and during
periods in which I fail to nurture this relationship, I feel a void in my life. While not something I
could have said many years ago, today my faith and religion are a necessity for my health.
Further to this is ensuring strong and stable relationships with my family and friends. Amidst
countless other benefits, these relationships afford me sustenance, love, and a support system in
times of trail; conflicts in my relationships can result in feelings of stress, unease, and even
physical pain. Finally, while we often cannot control what life brings us (rather, we can control
our reactions), life is not just happening to me. I do my best to make informed choices with
respect to finances, housing and my career.
Culture plays a major role in health and health practices. As a Canadian born and raised, I
abide almost exclusively by western medicine techniques. For example, I seek medical attention
when sick, and my use of home remedies is limited to over the counter drugs such as Tylenol or
Benadryl. Religion does not substantially factor into my health practices, and as a Catholic there
are few rules or restrictions with respect to the daily practice of western medicine
notwithstanding contentious issues such as euthanasia, abortion, and birth control. While my
personal beliefs do not always precisely coincide with Catholic doctrine, Catholics believe
strongly in the preservation of human life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Even if
death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately

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interrupted. It is morally unacceptable (para #2279). Accordingly, euthanasia, abortion, and the
removal of feeding tubes are not acceptable. Catholics do not promote the use of prayer in lieu
of medical treatment, but prayer is encouraged if not as a source of healing, then as a source of
strength.
The most important strategy that I utilize to improve my health practices is introspection. I
continually evaluate my health and make changes where necessary. This nursing program is a
prime example. While I currently make enough money to adequately manage our household
finances, I sincerely believe that my calling lies elsewhere. I discovered that dissatisfaction with
my current station lead to unhealthy feelings and practices, such as stress, anxiety, emotional
eating, and frustration. The positive effects that I have experienced since being accepted into the
nursing program and the commencement of my classes have already improved my mental and
physical health. I make it a point to frequently re-evaluate my health as well as all other facets of
my life being a life-long learner is important to me. For example, when I notice a decline in
my physical health, I make efforts to effect change, through better eating habits and increased
exercise. Moreover, I relish strong relationships with my husband and a few close girlfriends;
they have proven to be invaluable sounding boards as I work through important decisions.
Lastly, when I feel like something is not right with my body, I see the doctor, and I do my best to
follow my doctors recommendation. For example, if medication is recommended I take it as
prescribed. It is certainly not my intent to suggest that I am currently unhappy or that happiness
is an elusive goal that will only be realized in the future - in fact, quite the opposite is true.
However, becoming a better person and making the most of lifes opportunities are important to
me.

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During a couple of our group sessions in class, I was afforded the opportunity to speak with
another classmate about her health practices and her culture. This classmate is of Chinese decent
and she and her family incorporate a lot of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into their health
practices. As I noted previously herein, I typically follow a western approach to health practices,
and this differs in many respects from TCM. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on a healthy
balance of yin and yang (Hicks, 2011). Chinese Medicine subscribes to a fundamental belief that
life is a balance of qi (pronounced chi). When qi flows smoothly and without blocks, the person
is healthy in mind, body and spirit. Chinese medicine essentially recognizes that health is not
just the absence of sickness (Hicks, 2011), and it can be argued that it more heavily emphasises
(than western medicine) the importance of the mind, the body, and the spirit working in unison.
Furthermore, treatments can be quite different. The common cold is a good example of this. In
western medicine, colds are commonly left untreated. Because there is no medicine to cure a
cold, a person inflicted with a cold will instead rely on the plethora of primarily over-the-counter
drugs, such as Tylenol and Sudafed, to alleviate symptoms. This approach differs substantially
from TCM, where the cold will be classified as either a wind-cold or wind-heat, and each is
treated differently (Hicks, 2011). In her book 88 Chinese Medicine Secrets, Angela Hicks
differentiates between these colds. An individual suffering from a wind-cold (such as coughing,
white mucus, itchy throat, and a stuffy nose) is believed to need to sweat and is given ginger tea.
Conversely, a wind-heat (flu-like symptoms) is treated with peppermint tea (Hicks, 2011). That
said, both the west and TCM advocate rest to help combat a cold.
A second example is post-partum care. In Chinese culture, women are said to do the month
after giving birth (Hicks, 2011). Hicks explains, During this period she rests completely. All
her needs are taken care of traditionally by her mother-in-law (p.21). In other words, TCM

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believes that these new mothers should do nothing but rest and be a source of nourishment for
their young babies. Traditionally, the womans mother in law cares for the mother, ensuring that
she receives lots of rest, plenty of protein, and that she steers clear of the wind and cold. Such
rules are rigidly enforced. Alternatively, modern western culture affords new mothers little rest.
Often within a day or two of giving birth, mothers are discharged from the hospital, at which
time they return home to their normal responsibilities. Family support systems will vary among
families, but many new mothers are offered little time to recover, and they are frequently
susceptible to exhaustion and depression.
The decision making process in Chinese culture is also very different than in the west. For
example, in western culture, most decisions with respect to medical care are made by the affected
individual. We have family and friends who we turn to for support, but the final decision is a
personal one. This practice is quite different within Chinese culture. A classmate, S. W (2012)
revealed there is often a clearly-defined hierarchy in the family, and final decisions are typically
made by the head of the family (usually the father). Choices regarding medical care and
intervention are discussed thoroughly as a family unit, but the final decision is made by an elder
(S. W, personal communication, September 2012).
My main objective as a nurse is to provide care and healing to my patients. This includes
medical care, but it also includes emotional and spiritual support. Even though I will not possess
the same cultural and religious practices (nor the same experiences) as all my patients, I will help
them heal and cope in the ways in which they are most comfortable. This may at times conflict
with the ways I would prefer to have things done, but respecting practices and beliefs of others is
crucial. Having spoken with S. W and researched TCM, I will be more sensitive to, and
cognizant of, the beliefs and practices of my patients. Surely the research I have conducted to

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this point is merely a drop in the bucket, but already it has positively impacted my sensitivity
not only to people who practice TCM but when dealing with patients of all cultures, races and
religions. This paper has inspired me to explore additional cultures in my quest to better
understand people for whom I will be caring.

It goes without saying that while I do not have to

partake or even agree with the different rituals and practices that I encounter in my nursing
career, my patients will be happier and more receptive to me if I show them respect for their
beliefs and practices. If my patients are receptive, it makes my job of caring for their needs
easier.
In conclusion, it is important for health care professionals if not all members of society to
be cognizant of the fact that people have diverse backgrounds, and we need to be sensitive to the
individual needs of others. My idea of what constitutes health physical, mental, and spiritual
wellness - and the criteria that I use to evaluate my own health are heavily influenced by western
medicine. But I do not live in a bubble, and understanding other cultures is imperative to helping
me be the best nurse I can be.

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References

Catholic Church. (1994). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice
Vaticana. Retrieved from http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-webelieve/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm
Hicks, A. (2011). 88 Chinese Medicine Secrets. Oxford, United Kingdom: How To Books.
Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International
Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the
representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no.
2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.