MEDICO-NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES AMONG PUERTO RICANS IN A SMALL URBAN NORTHEASTERN COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED-STATES

This paper discusses the changing Puerto Rican folk medico-nutritional system currently practiced in a small urban center in New England. Two salient factors have been designated as primarily responsible for the rapid adoption of improved Western medico-nutritional practices. These factors are: (1) the social cohesion of the Puerto Rican community fostered by an extensive network of social ties and an integrated information referral system; (2) the large number of health and nutrition related agencies and agents working in the community. Especially important is the pivotal role of the nutritional Paraprofessionals. Conflicts in health and nutritional ideology and in health care seeking behavior are explored within the context of the community. The conclusion is reached that the rapid acculturation of the study community is unique compared to other Puerto Rican communities on the Mainland. © 1979.