
Journal Article
Population Health in America: Is Culture Stopping Us Dead in Our Tracks? (Health Affairs)
Summary: Researchers examine how American culture, characterized by individualism and consumerism, impedes public health efforts. They identify ten areas where cultural values contribute to negative health outcomes, including preference for specialty health care over preventive and primary care, underinvestment in public health, and punitive responses to addiction.
To address these challenges, the article suggests reframing public health measures to align with American values and promoting cultural change through effective messaging and storytelling. Researchers emphasize the need for public health to adopt a more community-focused scientific paradigm and play a leading role in convening stakeholders for policy change.
The ultimate goal is to shift American culture towards social solidarity and collective well-being, thereby creating an ecosystem that supports healthier lifestyles and population health. Despite acknowledging the complexity of cultural change, authors advocate for sustained efforts to rebalance cultural values in favor of public health and the common good.
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