CREATING THE MYTH OF HEALTH

This paper addresses the topic of health and how health is subject to mythicizing. It examines the importance of human values in the creation of working health definitions. In addition, the importance of societal interaction and communication within the limits of these health definitions is studied. Research on this subject reveals that although health is a real entity, its explanations and manifestations are shrouded in myth. Information obtained from works written by cultural anthropologists as well as philosophers provide a foundation upon which the perception of health is shown to be a myth. Finally, it is suggested that recognizing these points will help the individual gain autonomy and the health professional gain cultural sensitivity