Thalassaemia is a blood disorder prevalent amongst the Cypriot population because of genetic, ecological, and social reasons. Although a successful prevention system has been in place since the early 1980s, approximately 650 thalassaemia patients still live on the island whose births preceded the given system. For my fieldwork I spent a year in Cyprus with the PanCyprian Thalassaemia Association (PTA) – a patients group which acts as the main channel of politicisation for thalassaemia patients in Cyprus. By organising events such as conferences, fundraisers and workshops, the PTA strives to maintain the awareness of thalassaemia in the Cypriot public sphere. The association also maintains an agonistic yet healthy relationship with the Cypriot state. Thalassaemia treatment in Cy-prus is provided by public healthcare and, since its foundation in 1973, the PTA has won several skirmishes against the state on issues such as a more reliable blood supply, better provision of medicines, and more hospital space for patients. In addition, the PTA has forged numerous alliances with national and international organisations, patient associa-tions and scientific research bodies which have a decisive say in how thalassaemia comes to be enacted on a Cypriot and global level. Throughout the thesis I focus on the tactics the PTA uses to politically activate thalassaemia. As I argue, activating illness entails mak-ing discernible political dimensions of illness which previously evaded, or were left unac-counted, by public and governmental perceptions. In addition, through the anthropologi-cal analysis of PTA case studies, I develop tactics of my own by which patient associa-tions can activate illness. Through an ethnography and at the same time conceptual de-velopment of tactics, the thesis aims to fruitfully reconcile the ontology and politics of illness.

This research explored the understanding of coronary heart disease among the South Asian Migrant men in the UK. The objectives of this study are: • To explore migrant South Asian men's understanding of the risks involved with coronary heart disease in the UK • To relate their understanding in the context of current health care policy • To suggest ways to provide culturally sensitive health promotion programs to these groups. A phenomenological perspective using qualitative research methodology and focus group interviews were used to obtain a more precise and in-depth understanding of the risks involved with coronary heart disease. In total 83 men were recruited. 13 focus groups were conducted in three different areas across the country which had a significant South Asian population. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: Psychosocial factor, conventional risk factors & health care experiences. These themes reflected the men's understanding of the risks Involved with coronary heart disease In the UK. According to Williams et al, (2007 & 2009), information about psychosocial risk profiles in UK South Asians is limited and that there is an increased possibility that psychosocial related factors contribute to increased vulnerability to coronary heart disease in South Asian in the UK. This study concludes with the importance of recognizing that not all South Asians are the same and that health professionals should look beyond the context of religious, and ethnic background and focus on individual men.