The Biological and Historical Perspectives of Bodies
The phrase “Bodies are both Historical and Biological” suggests that there are a number of characteristics about the bodies of people all over the world that qualify them to be both Historical and Biological from a Scientific Perspective. From a biological perspective, the amount of melanin in the body determines how a person’s skin appears; as a result, persons of various races have varying skin tones (Stepan, 1998). From a historical perspective, people are affected by various things differently based on their race, which is identified by their skin color. This shows a correlation between biology and history whereby through biology, we realize the different races of people and history enables us to understand what affected those individuals and the impact at different times.
The Scientific Study of Gender
Also, people can be distinguished by gender scientifically as either being male or female whereby the male and female possess different characteristics. The historical perspective of gender shows the transformation of male and female regarding culture and abilities (Stepan, 1998). This paper shows the correlation between the scientific aspect of being male or female and how the different genders have transformed since early times.
Health Disparities and the Body
Through bodies being both historical and biological, a basis is formed to understand and analyze the health disparities in the society. Different types of diseases have been affecting humans for a long time with others having fatal complications and others not having life-threatening complications. The scientific study of the diseases affecting the human body is important as it reveals the viruses or bacteria which affect the body and it also shows the parts of the body which can be affected by the disease (Miller & Vance, 2004). With the help of historical health records showing how often the disease affects people, it is easier to predict when the disease can become an epidemic or not. Using the information of the particular type of disease affecting the human body, its origin and history it becomes easier to know the health disparities associated with that disease in the society.
Impact of Biological Factors on Disease
Different diseases affect people of various races living in the various regions of the world, and with the help of biological study on the body, it can be known which strains of diseases affect which people and which group of people get affected extremely by the strain of the disease. With the help of the health historical information about the different groups affected, we can understand why a particular strain of disease affects a group of people worse than others creating fluctuating number of cases across the world (Miller & Vance, 2004). There are different strains of the HIV in the different parts of the world, and that is why people in different regions of the world can live with HIV/AIDS for more than 45 years while other can survive for up to 10 years. Therefore, health disparity in the society is realized through understanding the biology and historical aspects of the human body.
The Influence of Culture on Health Disparities
In conclusion, some diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through body contact and bodily fluids. Biological studies show that our bodies contain micro-organisms which can spread the diseases to others. Different regions with different cultures have different health disparities an example is like the sexually transmitted diseases in America is much higher compared to Saudi Arabia as evidenced in the historical health statistics. The American culture has over the years reduced strictness and strict views on fornication or homosexuality while Saudi Arabia is conservative and against such practices and this makes cases of sexually transmitted diseases higher in America than in Saudi Arabia. Through understanding the cultures that govern our bodies, it is evident that culture governing our bodies brings health disparities in the society.
References
Leys Stepan, N. (1998). Race, Gender, Science and Citizenship. Gender & History, 10(1), 26-52.
Miller, A. M., & Vance, C. S. (2004). Sexuality, Human Rights, and Health. Health and Human Rights, 7(2), 5-15.
