CULTURAL CONCEPTS OF HEALTH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FRENCH, ENGLISH, AND RUSSIAN HEALTH BELIEFS THROUGH HUMOR

Abstract

This study employs humor and anecdotal evidence to investigate cultural perspectives on health and medical procedures in France, England, and Russia. The study investigates how deeply ingrained cultural ideas about sickness, treatment choices, and healthcare systems are reflected in national jokes, colloquial idioms, and popular tales using a qualitative content analysis technique. The analysis shows clear trends: English emphasis on bowel regularity, stoicism, and natural remedies; French obsession with liver dysfunction and preference for suppositories and mineral water; and Russian attitudes marked by disregard for preventive care, celebration culture at odds with health consciousness, and notable differences between public and private healthcare. The results show that humor is a useful cultural artifact for comprehending beliefs and actions connected to health. This comparative study contributes to cross-cultural health communication research and highlights the importance of cultural competence in medical practice and public health interventions.