Perspectives IN Health
To understand health in a nation, it is important to take a structured and integrative approach. We achieve structure by organizing our approach to health around analysis of health systems, drivers of health, and health issues in Peru. We take an integrative approach by handling the topic of health from multiple perspectives. Environmental, organizational, individual, international, and indigenous perspectives on health in Peru each reveal different elements of importance. Taken together, they create a comprehensive understanding of the strong and weak points of Peru's current health initiatives.
Environmental
Historical, social, and political factors influence the health conditions in the country and the public perceptions and beliefs about health. Social norms and beliefs surrounding food, seeking professional medical care, exercise, and preventative care all underlying factors influencing health. Political discourse, (lack of) financial and organizational support for health systems and health education likewise affect health outcomes. While a sociological or political analysis of underlying health factors is not our primary focus, mindfulness of these issues informs our research. These factors also influence the potential of various business propositions to draw a market and effect change in health outcomes in a nation.
Organizational
The organizational perspective is one of our primary methods for understanding health in Peru. Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations set up by government, NGOs, and for-profit private sector businesses play a critical role in the health of a population. Access and affordability of healthcare depend largely on the funding and efficiency of health systems. Viewing healthcare from an organizational perspective is useful for mapping the healthcare landscape, understanding demographics of healthcare coverage, and accounting for the country's economic expenditures on healthcare and health products.
Individual
Of equal importance to the organizational perspective is the individual portrait. The health of an individual adult, child, mother, teen, elderly person can often be lost when too great an emphasis is placed on the institutional elements. What is the experience of a healthy Peruvian? What level of access does she have to clean water and nutritious food? Are regular visits to the doctor a part of his routine? What kind of basic health products are available to him at the local grocery or drugstore? And, what is the experience of a sick Peruvian? How far does he have to travel to receive appropriate medical care? Is paying for treatments and care a big financial burden? Do health care providers have an adequate level of expertise and equipment to provide quality care? Focusing on the experience of the individual sheds light on important issues that may be missed otherwise.
International
As US Americans peering into health in Peru from the outside, we are attuned to the fact that many foreign and world organizations take an active role in providing and studying health in Peru. Multinational organizations such as Unicef and the World Health Organization gather important health metrics on the country and provide funds for supporting health efforts. Numerous foreign organizations provide health assistance through funding, supplies, and on-the-ground services. Among these are governments, private enterprise, and civil society (not-for-profit organizations and NGOs).
INdigenous
Peru has a sizable indigenous population, living mostly in remote areas of the country. Because most of our time in Peru is spent in urban environments, this perspective will not be as prevalent as others in our work. However, we do believe it is important that the reader be cognizant of this perspective. Indigenous populations in Peru hold a traditional set of attitudes and practices surrounding health. Natural medicines play an important role and transportation to hospitals and health clinics is often difficult.