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The intersection of language, culture

and healthcare in Maya Guatemala

Peter Rohloff, MD PhD

Medical DirectorWuqu Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance

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Z-score

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www.abc.com

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www.wikipedia.org

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Patients

No food

No work

No education

Language barriers

Services

Ignorant

Lazy

Unmotivated

Backwards

Roj j mayab oj mestan kan

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Why Mayan Languages?

1) Ri jun chi ri jun yawa jebl nutzijoj

pe achike riqaxomalruchajin (The

patient should be able to easily

communicate with the doctor)

2) Ri jun chk chi ma nqamestaj ta ri

qatzij(The active maintenance and

recovery of speech)

Tummons et al 2011

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Language Loss and Health

1) Language barriers = poor health

2) Language loss = glass ceiling =poor health

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Unintelligible SpanishLoan Word

Neologism Gloss

Diabetes Rujotolem rukabil kik Height of the bloods

sugar

Artritis Rusipojik baq The bones swelling

Infeccin urinaria Itzel chuluj Bad urine

Vagina Rubey ri ney The path of the baby

Colesterol Ruqanal kik The bloods marrow

Asma Rutzapatajik pospoy Closing-off of the lungs

Behavior Change is a Linguistic Problem

Tummons et al 2008

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Why Does Civil Society Matter?

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Thanks! Matyx chiwe

www.wuqukawoq.org

www.mayahealth.org

peter@wuqukawoq.org

http://www.wuqukawoq.org/http://www.mayahealth.org/http://www.mayahealth.org/http://www.wuqukawoq.org/