Curing Our Ills The Psychology Of Chronic Disease Risk - Experience And Care In Africa

Millions of ghanaians live with diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancers and other major chronic diseases. Millions more are at risk of getting these conditions. Individuals living with chronic conditions experience many disruptions, especially at the early stages of diagnosis and adjustment. The disruptions are physical medical complications , psychological depression , material impoverishment , social stigma and spiritual struggles with faith and trust . These experiences have an impact on family life and resources, with primary caregivers bearing similar disruptions to their chronically ill loved ones. While chronic conditions cannot be cured, many individuals hope for a cure. This hope drives healthcare seeking across different sectors of ghana’s vibrant pluralistic health system. When hope for a cure’ meets claims to cure’ within the herbalist and faith healing sectors, especially, the outcomes for individuals and their families can be catastrophic. The ghanaian situation is mirrored in many african countries. It is estimated that african chronic non-communicable disease ncd prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates will rise faster than rates in asia and latin america over the coming decades. The long term and costly nature of ncds has major implications for individuals, communities, health systems and governments.In this inaugural lecture, professor ama de-graft aikins discusses the psychology of chronic disease risk, experience and care in africa. She makes a case ...

Millions of ghanaians live with diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancers and other major chronic diseases. Millions more are at risk of getting these conditions. Individuals living