Critical Medical Anthropology
Critical medical anthropology is the analysis that the impact of global economic systems have on local and national health. It is the bio-medical practice and the differentials in power, authoritative knowledge of the practitioner and patient (Aus: D. Levinson, 1996).
In Exploring Medical Anthropology, is worded as the theoretical perspective in medical anthropology which stresses the importance of political and economic structures, especially global capitalism, on the health of human populations (also known as political economy of health) (p. 137). Joralemon states that critical medical anthropology deals with distributing the wealth and power and the division of labor affects disease patterns and health care access. Sometimes these anthropologists are challenged with interpretive and ecological approaches. Critical medical anthropologists have analyzed health constraints in socialist countries as well as in capitalist economies (Joralemon 2010: 65).
In Exploring Medical Anthropology, critical medical anthropology is also known as the political economy approach which "emphasizes the importance of political and economic forces, including exercise of power in shaping health, disease, illness experience, and health care" (Singer and Baer 1995: 5). These anthropologists insist that social and economic approaches have always been considered and important part of the "environment" to which humans adapt. This approach to medical anthropology deals with asking questions about the culturally derived frameworks of meaning on the experiences of sickness (Joralemon 2010: 47). Critical medical anthropologists are considered to have an interpretive perspective where they are able to depersonalize subject matters to neglect certain content, but also to analyze the subjective content of illness, suffering and healing (p. 47). Between the interpretive perspective and critical medical anthropologists comes the critical-interpretive approach.
In Exploring Medical Anthropology, is worded as the theoretical perspective in medical anthropology which stresses the importance of political and economic structures, especially global capitalism, on the health of human populations (also known as political economy of health) (p. 137). Joralemon states that critical medical anthropology deals with distributing the wealth and power and the division of labor affects disease patterns and health care access. Sometimes these anthropologists are challenged with interpretive and ecological approaches. Critical medical anthropologists have analyzed health constraints in socialist countries as well as in capitalist economies (Joralemon 2010: 65).
In Exploring Medical Anthropology, critical medical anthropology is also known as the political economy approach which "emphasizes the importance of political and economic forces, including exercise of power in shaping health, disease, illness experience, and health care" (Singer and Baer 1995: 5). These anthropologists insist that social and economic approaches have always been considered and important part of the "environment" to which humans adapt. This approach to medical anthropology deals with asking questions about the culturally derived frameworks of meaning on the experiences of sickness (Joralemon 2010: 47). Critical medical anthropologists are considered to have an interpretive perspective where they are able to depersonalize subject matters to neglect certain content, but also to analyze the subjective content of illness, suffering and healing (p. 47). Between the interpretive perspective and critical medical anthropologists comes the critical-interpretive approach.
Critical medical anthropologists sometimes assault the applied medical anthropologists. Merrill Singer (1989a), Nancy Scheper-Hughes (1990), Hans Baer (1993), and other anthropologists made the same point that applied medical anthropologists are "timid" who are so afraid of offending other medical colleagues that they become a servant to bio-medicine (Greenwood et al. 1988). These anthropologists are considered to work with the doctor's ability to have control over their patients rather than treating diseases as a social problem (Joralemon 2010: 98). Critical medical anthropologists worked with labor unions, health consumer groups, women's health collectives, ethnic community organizations, self-help and self-care groups and the stigma of gays and AIDS. They would document information regarding these groups and work to reverse the health problems associated to environmental conditions.
This photo indicates that anthropology
does make a difference in the world.
Photo retrieved from www.anthropology.usf.edu
Relevance to "the resolution of health and healthcare problems"?
Question: Do critical medical anthropologists have something to offer to the resolution of health and health care problems?
Answer: Yes, these anthropologists have careers in critical medical anthropology for a reason. Medical anthropology seeks to understand the cultural and biological aspects of disease. They learn about the cultural differences and are able to understand and explain what causes illnesses and what different cultures view as acceptable treatments (O'neil, 2012). Critical medical anthropologists deal with the impact of global economic systems on local and national levels. If these anthropologists didn't exist, it would just be an area in the health care field that was lacking. Without every member of the health care field it would not be what it is today. Every member is crucial in that they all have specific information to understand and relay to their team. Critical medical anthropologists ultimately offer a resolution to patient's health and the health care problems occurring around the world.
Answer: Yes, these anthropologists have careers in critical medical anthropology for a reason. Medical anthropology seeks to understand the cultural and biological aspects of disease. They learn about the cultural differences and are able to understand and explain what causes illnesses and what different cultures view as acceptable treatments (O'neil, 2012). Critical medical anthropologists deal with the impact of global economic systems on local and national levels. If these anthropologists didn't exist, it would just be an area in the health care field that was lacking. Without every member of the health care field it would not be what it is today. Every member is crucial in that they all have specific information to understand and relay to their team. Critical medical anthropologists ultimately offer a resolution to patient's health and the health care problems occurring around the world.
Chelsey Victor • Utica College • Cultures, Health and Healing - ANT 415 • Spring 2014