Perspectives on tuberculosis among traditional Chinese medical practitioners in New York City's Chinatown
Journal
Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
1
Pages
105-122
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
This article discusses the perspectives of Chinatown's traditional Chinese medical practitioners on tuberculosis among New York City's Chinese laborers. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the United States is neither regulated nor well understood. Some public health providers have expressed their concern that the use of TCM could prevent Chinese tuberculosis patients from receiving proper, biomedical treatment. Contrary to the suspicion of public health providers, the traditional Chinese medical practitioners in the context of New York City's Chinatown provide diverse methods of health care, many being familiar with the biomedical explanation for tuberculosis. All TCM informants in this study stated that biomedicine is more effective than Chinese medicine in treating tuberculosis. TCM in tuberculosis therapy is said to complement biomedicine and to restore bodily balance and the general health of patients. This study discusses the political-economic context shaping the explanation and treatment of tuberculosis among traditional Chinese medical practitioners and broadens our understanding of the various contexts in which TCM and biomedicine can be integrated. Furthermore, it is suggested that an opportunity exists for tuberculosis control programs to incorporate TCM practitioners in the effort to control the disease within New York City. ? 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
Subjects
Chinatown; New York City; Traditional Chinese medicine; Tuberculosis
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; Asian American; Chinese medicine; female; human; interview; male; middle aged; review; tuberculosis; United States; Adult; Asian Americans; Female; Humans; Interviews; Interviews as Topic; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Middle Aged; New York City; Tuberculosis
Type
journal article