Читать книгу The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Medical Sociology - Группа авторов - Страница 56

STELLA QUAH

Is culture relevant to the study of health and illness? Yes. Culture is not just one of many factors associated with health but is the context within which health-related behavior unfolds. Over the past few decades the consensus among sociologists and anthropologists has been strengthened by increasing evidence-based research. Both disciplines produce the bulk of systematic research on health-related behavior by applying a wide range of conceptual perspectives and methodological approaches; and relevant psychology research contribute pertinent information. This analysis proposes and explains why the inclusion of the cultural context is central to our understanding of health, illness, and health-related behavior. The analysis unfolds in three steps: the definition of culture; the link between culture and health behavior; and the link between culture and healing systems.