title: A new definition of health? An open letter of autochthonous peoples and medical anthropologists to the WHO.
abstract: Currently, for many practitioners (hospital and liberals) and researchers (including public health), the WHO definition of health is outdated: first it seems more utopian than pragmatic; then, it proves unsuitable for a large part of the world population. There is clearly a need to refine this definition or propose additional criteria to be more relevant or discriminating. In this perspective, what can indigenous people offer in the elaboration of a new definition of health? In this article, leaders or representatives of autochthonous peoples, anthropologists and physicians from many cultural origins (Amazonia, Patagonia, Papua New-Guinea, Inuit, North-American Indian, sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Melanesia and Polynesia) have tried to identify and explain several key concepts that WHO should reintegrate into its new definition of health: human equilibrium in nature, accepted spirituality and adaptation. On the sidelines of the application of COP21 decisions that should give back to man his place into the environment, autochthonous people leaders, anthropologists and MDs explain why these three concepts are fundamental and universal health determinants, and need to be included in a new WHO definition of health.
authors.affiliation: Section of Medical and Forensic Anthropology (UVSQ, EA 4569 Paris-Descartes), UFR of Health Sciences, 2 avenue de la source de la Bièvre, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France; CASH, Max Fourestier Hospital, Nanterre, France. Electronic address: philippe.charlier@uvsq.fr.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charlier
authors.affiliation: Collège de France, place Marcelin Berthelot, 75005 Paris, France. Electronic address: yves.coppens@collegedefrance.fr.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Coppens
authors.affiliation: Center of Arctic Studies, EHESS, 75013 Paris, France. Electronic address: jean.malaurie@ehess.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malaurie
authors.affiliation: Section of Medical and Forensic Anthropology (UVSQ, EA 4569 Paris-Descartes), UFR of Health Sciences, 2 avenue de la source de la Bièvre, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France; Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Parakou, Benin. Electronic address: lbrun2013@gmail.com.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.affiliation: Huli Community, Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Electronic address: marcdozier@free.fr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kepanga
authors.affiliation: Section of Medical and Forensic Anthropology (UVSQ, EA 4569 Paris-Descartes), UFR of Health Sciences, 2 avenue de la source de la Bièvre, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France; Emergency Department, University Hospital, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Electronic address: van.hoangoppermann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hoang-Opermann
authors.affiliation: Desarrollo Intercultural Chile, Mapuche Nation, Chile. Electronic address: contacto@desarrollointerculturalchile.org.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Correa Calfin
authors.affiliation: Museum of Natural History, Rouen, France. Electronic address: georgenuku@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nuku
authors.affiliation: Zapara Community, Ecuador. Electronic address: luciaruelvilla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ushiga
authors.affiliation: Section of Medical and Forensic Anthropology (UVSQ, EA 4569 Paris-Descartes), UFR of Health Sciences, 2 avenue de la source de la Bièvre, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France.
authors.forename: X E
authors.initials: XE
authors.lastname: Schor
authors.affiliation: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: saudaminideo01@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deo
authors.affiliation: CASH, Max Fourestier Hospital, Nanterre, France; IPES (CASH and Paris X University), Nanterre, France. Electronic address: jacques.hassin@ch-nanterre.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hassin
authors.affiliation: CASH, Max Fourestier Hospital, Nanterre, France; IPES (CASH and Paris X University), Nanterre, France; Laboratory of Medical Ethics (EA 4569 Paris-Descartes), 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France. Electronic address: christian.herve@parisdescartes.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hervé
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D044467:American Indian or Alaska Native; D060432:Anthropology, Medical; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D004463:Ecology; D004777:Environment; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D044382:Population Groups; D011634:Public Health; D029181:Spirituality; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: Ecology; Medical anthropology; Public health; Suicide; Wellbeing