by Forsyth CJ, Hernandez S, Flores CA, Roman MF, Nieto JM, Marquez G, Sequeira J, Sequeira H, Meymandi SK. Medical Anthropology 2021. doi: 10.1080/01459740.2021.1894559
Summary: Chagas disease is the neglected tropical disease of greatest public health impact in the United States, where it affects over 300,000 people. Diverse barriers limit healthcare access for affected people; fewer than 1% have obtained testing or treatment. The authors share the results of interviews with 50 people with Chagas disease in Los Angeles, California, who were administered a cultural consensus analysis questionnaire. Participants were asked about their experiences and perceptions of Chagas disease, access to healthcare, and strategies for coping with the disease. Participant explanatory models highlight difficulties in accessing care, despite a desire for biomedical treatment. Obtaining testing and treatment for Chagas disease poses substantial challenges for US patients.
