Abstract

As early as the 1920’s, it was suggested that individual health perceptions could be indicators to the onset of disease. Since that time we have discovered that perceptions of health are powerful predictors of morbidity and mortality. At the individual level, they may channel actions. At a societal level, perceptions of health can channel policy for change. Often perceptions of health are categorized as Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or Very Poor. But within each one of those categories, what values of culture, physical ability, social interaction, economical standing, and environmental well-being are placed by that culture? What is the contextual placement of good, fair, or poor? What senses are dominating that culture to form the perception? These are important questions to answer when assessing true perceptions of health among various cultures. Various measurement tools have been used to assess perceptions of health. Examples are: the Health Perceptions Questionnaire Form II, the Nottingham Health Profile, and the SF-36 health survey. Today many journal articles refer to the use of MOS 20-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-20). Unfortunately, as we moved to improve medical intervention for various populations through Americanized standard measurement tools, the cultural meaning of health and illness was not sustained. Yet we continue to be baffled as to why we cannot reach certain populations. Development of a measurement tool for acquiring accurate information on perceptions of health in various cultures must go back to basics where the culture is sustained first, followed by the measurement tool.