Health disparities in indigenous people tied to cultural loss
3 Jul 2009, 1409 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

London, July 3 The health disparities prevalent in indigenous people around the world are closely tied to cultural loss including, loss of language, globalisation and removal from the land.

Dr. Malcolm King, lead author of the paper, says that Indigenous well-being is distinct, and includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.

There has to be a balance between the person, his/her family, community, and environment.

"Wellbeing for Aboriginal Peoples is more than physical health or absence of disease, it's about 'being alive well' or 'mno bmaadis' as they say in the Anishinabek language," The Lancet quoted King as saying.

"All four elements of life - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual - are traditionally represented in the four directions of the medicine wheel, and traditional healing often implicates the whole community, cleansing the environment around a person as well as his or her body," he added.

He further said that language was crucial to identity, health and relations. Therefore, according to him, its revitalization can be seen as a health promotion strategy.

"That's why factors like retention of Aboriginal languages, cultural practices, self determination, and respect for Elders is so important," said King

"And that's why we have so much to do to repair the damage done by so many disruptive assimilationist practices in the past, such as cutting off children from their families at residential schools, or suppression of cultural practices that conflicted with European ideas," he added. (ANI)

Related Latest

Climate warming and loss of ice unprecedented in last 14,000 years Why people love horror movies Ghulam Nabi Azad calls for higher investment in health sector Physical education improves health in low-income adolescents Indian cultural centre opened in Kuala Lumpur People living in volcanic areas 'at increased thyroid cancer risk' Gerrard still devastated by Xabi Alonso's loss to Real Madrid Tribal festival enthralls people in Himachal's Kinnaur valley Potential therapeutic target for curbing inflammation in fat people identified Lap band surgery improves health of morbidly obese kids

Related Latest

Two police officers embark on bicycle rally to spread message of unity Madhu Koda to remain in hospital for another day Middle order has not performed consistently in the series, says Dhoni TMC-CPM workers clash, Maoists kill three ahead of CM's visit in Midnapore Fake currency worth Rs 900,000 seized in Punjab Allahabad hosts Ganga Water Rally to accelerate tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh Over 60 percent turnout in Assembly by-polls; 53 percent in Firozabad LS poll Madhu Koda's associate sent to ten days in Enforcement Directorate custody Congress-NCP alliance forms government in Maharashtra for the second time Gold lovers in Chennai see gold as a promising investment

• Two police officers embark on bicycle rally to spread message of unity
• Madhu Koda to remain in hospital for another day
• Over 60 percent turnout in Assembly by-polls; 53 percent in Firozabad LS poll
• Middle order has not performed consistently in the series, says Dhoni
• TMC-CPM workers clash, Maoists kill three ahead of CM's visit in Midnapore

• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights
• Nine tips for nine nights
• need new prevention tech for HIV, other STIs and UP
• "Good health is India's basic need": Easier said than done Mr Prime Minister!