Themes and Gaps

After reviewing my blog entries, I found that I mainly focused on the contents, findings and importance of the project. For example, I discussed the importance of early detection of cancer, misconceptions/prejudice of the disease, problems with and priorities of public health, and the lack of healthcare access for poor women. Further, I focused on the significance of culture/local understanding and how that impedes healthcare access for women

However, I found that the blog posts are slightly impersonal. On topics where I share a different perspective than the locals, I am worried that I will be showing local understanding in a negative light. For example, if I try to describe a slum that I visited—how do I discuss such a topic without shining India in a negative light? Without characterizing India as a poor country?

One research finding was that women are highly dependent, they are homemakers—and they put their families before their own health. This was demonstrated across all the interviews, it’s been shown by the data we’ve collected. It’s a part of their culture. How can I offer my opinion about this social role of women without making it seem like I’m judging or attacking their culture? Therefore, I did not put in my own opinions while writing the blog, and simply described what I learned from the studies. So, another gap is the lack of opinions and reflection on what I learned.

Another gap is that I only focus on explaining the negatives of public health in India. I should also explain about what India has been implementing well.

I notice that I also generally write about something new—a type of food or a situation that happened that day, for example. I should add a post about how their culture is very similar to ours, and how we are more similar than we are different.