Citation

Sachdev PS. Soc. Sci. Med. 1990; 30(4): 431-440.

Affiliation

Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2315725

Abstract

A major factor in the aetiology of illness is the behaviour of individuals with regard to certain risks and hazards of the environment. The Maori of New Zealand have been shown to be at greater risk of illness and death than their non-Maori counterparts. It is estimated that a significant proportion of this excess morbidity and mortality can be attributed to at least four behavioural factors: smoking, obesity, alcohol use and accidents. This paper examines the inter-cultural differences in these factors, both from a contemporary and an historical perspective. Some of the reasons for the continuation of these adverse patterns of behaviour are explored, in particular the role of psycho-cultural stress. Some possible mechanisms of effecting behavioural change in modern Maori society are discussed.

Language: en