Harmful traditional health practices

Injurious health practices affecting women and children

Nature

Harmful traditional health practices are culturally rooted behaviors or rituals that negatively impact health and well-being. These practices, often passed down through generations, include female genital mutilation, early or forced marriage, scarification, and certain dietary restrictions. Despite their cultural significance, they can cause physical injury, psychological trauma, and increased risk of disease or death. Such practices persist due to social norms, misinformation, and limited access to modern healthcare. Addressing harmful traditional health practices is a significant public health challenge, requiring education, community engagement, and policy interventions to protect vulnerable populations and promote safer, evidence-based health behaviors.

Background

Harmful traditional health practices gained international attention in the 1970s, as global health organizations documented their widespread impact on morbidity and mortality, particularly among women and children. Early anthropological studies highlighted the persistence of such practices despite medical advances. Subsequent research and advocacy, notably by WHO and UNICEF, underscored their prevalence across diverse cultures, prompting coordinated efforts to understand their roots and address their consequences within broader public health and human rights frameworks.

Incidence

Harmful traditional health practices persist in many regions worldwide, affecting millions annually, particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. These practices, often rooted in cultural beliefs, include female genital mutilation, early forced marriage, scarification, and the use of unsterilized instruments for ritual procedures. Despite global health campaigns, the World Health Organization estimates that over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation, highlighting the widespread and ongoing nature of such practices.
In 2022, reports from Sudan documented a resurgence of female genital mutilation in rural communities, following the rollback of legal protections. Local health authorities recorded hundreds of new cases, underscoring the persistent challenge of eradicating this harmful tradition despite international and national efforts.

Claim

Harmful traditional health practices are a grave and urgent problem that endanger countless lives worldwide. These outdated customs, such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and unsafe herbal remedies, inflict severe physical and psychological harm. Ignoring this issue perpetuates suffering, violates human rights, and undermines public health progress. It is imperative that we confront and eradicate these dangerous practices to protect vulnerable individuals and build healthier, more just societies.

Counter-claim

Harmful traditional health practices are often exaggerated as a major issue, but in reality, they are not a significant problem today. Modern medicine and education have largely replaced outdated customs, making their impact minimal. Focusing on these rare practices distracts from more pressing health concerns. It is unnecessary to devote resources and attention to a problem that is already fading away and has little relevance in our increasingly informed society.