title: Relationships between health and culture in Polynesia - a review.
abstract: This review of journal articles and book chapters discusses the health beliefs characteristic of Polynesia and reveals several themes. These are: commonality in health conceptualisations across the cultures of the region which differ from the conceptualisations of biomedicine; the role of the relational self, traditional living and communalism in understanding health; the place of spirituality and religion in health and illness causation; and pluralism and pragmatism in health-seeking behaviour. Suggestions are made as to how awareness of key ideas might contribute to effective planning of health promotion and intervention activities.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capstick
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Faafetai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sopoaga
authors.forename: Wale
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tobata
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002835:Christianity; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011114:Polynesia; D018947:Samoa