ABSTRACT
When asked to define the role of culture within health and social services, a wide range of possible responses or interpretations comes to mind. The literature reflects both articles from the ancient historical perspectives of the cultural healing practices of the Chinese, Egyptians, Native Americans, and Greeks, describing the use of shamans and medicine men, to articles by present-day human service providers explaining the use of espiritistas, santeros(as), and curanderos(as) among ethnic and racial populations in need of general health and mental health services.
