The Importance of Culture in Managing Mental Health Response to Pandemics

Abstract

Despite their global threat, all infectious outbreaks initially occur in localized parts of the world. The culture of an affected society, therefore, plays an integral role in the perceptions of illness and societal willingness implementing measures to counter an outbreak. Cultural beliefs and values can significantly contribute to either the spreading or the mitigation of an outbreak. Identification and inclusion of the cultural parameters of the epidemic can be instrumental in the development of an efficient control strategy.