Critical Medical Anthropology and its relevance to the resolution to health and healthcare problems
Critical Medical Anthropology is defined as "the theoretical perspective in medical anthropology which stresses the importance of of political and economic structures, especially global capitalism, on the health of human population (also known as the political economy of health)" (Joralemon, 2010) From an anthropological perspective, includes the study of producing and exchanging goods, and the influence of government policy and capitalism on all aspects of life. When applied to studying health and health care, the political economy of health may include ways in which health services are differentially allocated based on wealth, and ways in which policy impacts health and delivery of health services. Political economy of health is a central component of critical medical anthropology, and a critical approach to medical anthropology seeks to uncover hidden causes of poor health as they relate to capitalism and neoliberal economics while examining health structures on a macro and micro level.
Critical medical anthropology (CMA) has been strongly shaped by medical anthropologist Merrill Singer. Singer promotes using CMA as an approach to researching health because of its applied focus, noting that medical anthropologists must critically question how situations for their research participants can be improve.Nancy Scheper-Hughes is also an important figure in critical medical anthropology, arguing that CMA combines the intersections of personal, social, and political bodies.
Critically Applied anthropologist would work with labor unions, women's health collectives, ethnic community organizations, gays and others victimized by the stigma of AIDS, health consumer group, self-help and self-care groups (Baer 1993:311) (Jarolemon, 2010) They would help to document and work to reverse the health problems associated with environmental pollution, occupational hazards and poor living conditions. They would also join in campaigns in the United States for a national health insurance system (Jarolemon, 2010)
Critical medical anthropology (CMA) has been strongly shaped by medical anthropologist Merrill Singer. Singer promotes using CMA as an approach to researching health because of its applied focus, noting that medical anthropologists must critically question how situations for their research participants can be improve.Nancy Scheper-Hughes is also an important figure in critical medical anthropology, arguing that CMA combines the intersections of personal, social, and political bodies.
Critically Applied anthropologist would work with labor unions, women's health collectives, ethnic community organizations, gays and others victimized by the stigma of AIDS, health consumer group, self-help and self-care groups (Baer 1993:311) (Jarolemon, 2010) They would help to document and work to reverse the health problems associated with environmental pollution, occupational hazards and poor living conditions. They would also join in campaigns in the United States for a national health insurance system (Jarolemon, 2010)