Anthropology 2290F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Medical Anthropology, Structural Inequality, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
15 Oct 2020
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Routledge handbook of medical anthropology chapter 8: ways of caring. In high-income settings, and in poor countries for those who can afford it, many chronic diseases can be treated. In resource-poor countries, health systems tend to be weak and governments have limited financial + human resources to manage complex conditions: local health centers often struggle to maintain supplies of appropriate + affordable medications and medical equipment. Health is compromised by structural inequality, poverty, and disadvantage: health promotional messages and medical advice to patients regarding changes in food intake and activity = often difficulty for economic reasons, available time, and patterns of sociality. This case is about the social dimensions of care and management, and the role of social support and friendship. Breathlessness: a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity. Varied experiences of breathlessness may relate to personal characteristics (i. e. muscle strength, weight, coping strategies), but also life experiences and cultural backgrounds.
