Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness

Spector, R.E. (2009). Cultural diversity in health and illness (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Discussion 1 Gary Respond to this The American Indian and Alaska Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans such as lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden. Identify at least two contributing factors to the health of this population. A. Ghost Sickness Some American Indians experience a health dilemma called "Ghost Sickness" which exists only in their minds but contributes to the aggravation of mental difficulties. Apparently, the American Indian develops an obsession with death and those who have died. This problem is generally linked to witchcraft and its symptoms are comprised of "bad dreams, weakness, feeling of danger, loss of appetite, and confusion" (Spector, 2013, p. 220).

This malady originated with the Navajo Indian who thought that certain Indians who had died did not receive appropriate burial rights, and their spirits would be destined to remain on the Earth and torture those left behind. The deceased Indian may be kin to the one suffering from Ghost Sickness. Most experts believe that the sufferer is merely going through a complex grieving process and is probably vulnerable to depression.

The only way to relieve this sickness in the mind of the Native American is by performing rituals which remove the overwhelming thoughts of the deceased. In some cases, the sufferer may be taken to a doctor who practices Western medical care and prescribed psychotropic medications to treat depression and anxiety (Hauck, 2013).

B. Alcoholism Alcoholism is also a principal mental health hindrance among the Native American which leads to protracted liver disease, cirrhosis, accidental injuries, and suicide. Moreover, alcoholic parents produce children that have "fetal alcohol syndrome" which creates a multitude of problems for these children including microcephaly, learning encumbrances, sleeping and eating difficulties, and deformities in the children's physical features.

The Indian child who suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome is three times more likely to become an alcoholic too (Spector, 2013). Domestic violence against women is also an alcohol related problem which can lead to sexual abuse and the beating of women. Traditionally, children in a proper American Indian home are raised to regard their parents in a respectful manner and generally not subjected to physical punishment. Parents mutually respect their children and the family is taught to live in harmony. But in recent times, domestic violence against has increased due to a decrease in sanctions and penalties levied against the man (Id.).

Identify one cultural-related health or healing tradition that also affects the health of this population and describe each of the factors you identified. The American Indian traditionally lives in accord with nature and treat their bodies with reverence, just as they believe the Earth should be treated by them. "When the Earth is harmed, humankind, is itself harmed and, conversely, when humans harm themselves, they harm the Earth" (Spector, 2013, p. 208). Maintaining their health means maintaining a good rapport with nature. "Mother Earth" is not only the friend of the Native American, but she belongs to them, too. Traditional American Indians believe there is some particular explanation for any illness or physical pain.

Typically, they believe these conditions are due to something that occurred already or something that will occur and there must be consequences for these acts. They do not believe in germs. Herbs are used to remedy sickness, and the gathering of the special herbs has to be done in a precise manner.

In addition, abundant care is exercised in the gathering of the healing herbs so as not to disrupt the environment. Elaborate on how they came into existence, how they affect health status, and what is being done to improve health and wellness. Indian legend alleges that in the beginning, the Navajo Indian came forth from the depths of the planet Earth as completely developed humans. They existed as very holy people, "supernatural beings with supernatural powers, in a series of 12 underworlds" (Spector, 2013, p. 209).

The early Navajo tribes believe that sickness and conflict were the outcome of displeasuring virtuous people, disturbing the elements, disrupting nature, ignoring the heavenly bodies, abuse of a holy ceremony, or associating with witches. In modern times, many American Indians live on government lands designated for their use, and receive contemporary medical care supplied by the government. This imposition of new, modernized treatment has significantly improved the health and wellness of the American Indian (Spector, 2013). References: Hauck, A. (2013).

Ghost Sickness among Native Americans, Michigan State University, ANP204-Introduction to Medical Anthropology. Retrieved on March 26, 2017 at http://anthropology.msu.edu/ anp204-us13/2013/07/20/ghost-sickness-among-native-americans/ Spector, R.E. (2013). Cultural diversity in health and illness (8th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.