TIE CONCEPT OF "HEALTH" AMONG SPANISH-SPEAKING VILLAGERS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO.

The Spanish-speaking villagers of the mountain valleys of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, isolated for centuries from outside influence, have retained a folk medical system which, at times, is at odds with that of the "scientific" medical community. The concept of good or normal health is basically equated to that of "adequately functioning" in one's age-sex role. The common criteria for identification as healthy are: (1) a high level of physical activity, (2) a well-fleshed body, and (3) the absence of pain. A basic purpose of this paper has been to define in detail the culturally specific elements of these criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]