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Traditional Healing, Biomedicine and the Treatment of HIV/AIDS: Contrasting South African and Native American Experiences

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  • Adrian Flint

    (School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS), University of Bristol, 11 Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK)

Abstract

Traditional healing remains an important aspect of many people’s engagement with healthcare and, in this, responses to the treatment of HIV/AIDS are no different. However, given the gravity of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, there has been much debate as to the value of traditional healing in this respect. Accordingly, this paper explores the extent to which meaningful accommodation between the biomedical and traditional sectors is possible (and/or even desirable). It does this through a consideration of Native American and South African experiences, looking at how the respective groups, in which medical pluralism is common, have addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS. The paper points to the importance of developing “culturally appropriate” forms of treatment that emphasise complementary rather than adversarial engagement between the traditional and biomedical systems and how policymakers can best facilitate this.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Flint, 2015. "Traditional Healing, Biomedicine and the Treatment of HIV/AIDS: Contrasting South African and Native American Experiences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:4:p:4321-4339:d:48442
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Warne, D. & Frizzell, L.B., 2014. "American Indian Health Policy: Historical trends and contemporary issues," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(S3), pages 263-267.
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