Reference no: EM133260444

Global Health related

Cultural beliefs have an enormous impact as a determinant of a country's overall health. Many believe that the USA has a "sick care" system rather than a healthcare system. Our cultural beliefs have programmed us to seek care when we feel ill and when we are made well again, we go on with our lives without giving much thought as to why we were sick, or how we might prevent it.

In the United States, diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles, and malaria were eradicated through vaccination. Yet, in recent years, some parents have refused to allow their children to be vaccinated for fear that doing so may lead to autism. Furthermore, the dismal United States' vaccination rate in the middle of a global pandemic places an exclamation point on the topic. As a result, some states have mandated vaccinations before the child is eligible to attend public education and major companies are coming onboard with similar policies for their employees. Anti-vaccine wars are obviously examples of cultural barriers to a healthcare system's attempt at controlling disease.

What is the issue of changing cultural beliefs and behavior. More specifically, is education or legislation the answer and on what side of the fence do you find yourself in the anti-vaccine debate?

Consider various successes and failures such as Mexico's use of conditional cash transfers to impoverished populations to induce compliance. Please cite any reference sources