Part one: Patterns of health and disease among the Waorani Indians of Eastern Ecuador

Abstract

The Waorani Indians, who live south of the Rio Napo in eastern Ecuador, are beginning to experience the effects of contact with the outside world. Synthesis of biomedical information with an understanding of cultural practices related to health provides insight into changing patterns of health and disease during the process of acculturation. The perspective gained from these multidisciplinary studies will aid in providing health care in the future and will increase appreciation of the ecology of health of these Amerindians in the past.