ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Structural Violence, Medical Anthropology
12 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
Health problem with symptoms associated with a particular culture. Major css of the west : anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Some have suggested that there is a genetic component. Culturally linked to concern with appearance and body weight. Increase in prevalence since 1970s: maybe be due to increase in the occurrence. Increase of awareness as well as reporting of this disorder. Not seen in developing world until 1990s. Early research in medical anthropology focused on css"s of the other (exotic, different, unique) The environment interacts with culture to influence the cause and spread of health problems. Focus on how economic and political factors affect health and access to healing: eg. Anorexia nervosa- social constructed concepts of perfection, morality. Affliction is more a product of someone"s social position than natural . Poverty is a major cause of suffering and death. Western doctor-patient relations as a form of social control.
