Health and Medical Anthropology Resource Guide
Uncover the fascinating world of anthropology and medical anthropology as you explore the study of human societies, cultures, and the development of mankind. Delve into the subfields of archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology to gain a deeper understanding of our evolutionary history and cultural diversity.
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UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024
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UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Welcome to the Health and Medical Anthropology Resource Guide, your comprehensive source for exploring the fascinating fields of anthropology and their connection to health.
In this guide, we delve into the study of human societies, cultures, and the development of mankind, with a particular focus on medical anthropology.
Uncover valuable resources, recommended books, and organizations that provide profound knowledge and understanding in these areas. To ensure you have the best protection for your health needs, take the next step by entering your zip code to compare rates from the top insurance providers. Empower yourself with knowledge and secure the coverage that suits you best.
What Is Anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of all the different people in the world. It takes a closer look at the way they evolved, how they behave, think and act, the way they adapt to different environments as well as the way they communicate and socialize. Anthropology also takes a look at the biological features that define us as human, including physiology, genetic makeup, nutritional history, and evolution; as well as different social aspects, including language, culture, politics, family, and religion.
You will see that the study of anthropology can go very in depth, not only examining everyday practices, but also the dramatic rituals, ceremonies, and processes that define all of us as human beings. Anthropologists spend a great deal of time comparing different communities of human beings to determine their similarities and differences so that they can learn more about humanity, especially a specific group of people. Since anthropology is broken up into physical and cultural divisions, different people study each.
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What Is Archeology?
Archaeology is the study of things that people have made and often involves going on digs to unearth artifacts from civilizations past. People who study archaeology often unearth things, such as pottery and tools, that were once used as means of survival, but they also map out locations of where things, such as houses, garbage pits, and burial grounds, may have once been. These people analyze bones and teeth to see how people used to eat and what kind of diets they may have had in their time, or whether disease affected them.
What is Biological Anthropology?
Biological Anthropology is the study of how the humans we know today evolved from monkeys and other animals. It also focuses on how people adapt to different environments, as well as diseases and what may have caused them or early death. These researchers study humans, both living and dead, as well as monkeys, apes, and other animals to see what similarities they possess, when compared to humans.
What is Medical Anthropology?
Medical Anthropology is the subsection of anthropology that studies the spread of illness, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the healing processes involved with illness. Medical anthropologists take a closer look at the health of individuals, as well as larger social groups and consider how the environment affects these interrelationships.
Medical anthropology is one of the most in-depth subsections of anthropology. It is the in-depth study of human health and how illnesses are shaped and spread from person to person. It also focuses on how these illnesses are experienced from person to person.
People who choose to study medical anthropology will study preventative measures to avoid the spread of illness as well as how illness is treated, and how medicine affects the healing processes. Medical anthropology is a very scientific subsection of anthropology and applies research that is geared toward solving medical problems. It also works to improve health care systems and policies and implement public health programs that are culturally diverse.
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What is Cultural Anthropology?
Cultural Anthropology is the study of how people live their lives now as compared to how they lived in the past. They study the tools that people used and the food they ate, as well as how they obtained it and how they ate it.
Resources:
- American Anthropological Association: What is anthropology?
- Becoming Human: Home page
- National Park Service: What is cultural anthropology?
- University of Florida: About anthropology
Anthropology Resources
There are a great many resources that people can read up on if they are interested in anthropology, including many wonderful and well-known books by famous authors, including Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall, Richard Dawkins, and E.O. Wilson.
Some great reads would include On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, In the Shadow of Man, The Selfish Gene, and The Social Conquest of Earth. In addition to these resources, there are many magazines, websites and organizations for anthropologists and wonderful museums to visit as well, including the American Museum of Natural History’s anthropological division.
Read more: Best Business Insurance for Museums
Resources:
- American Museum of Natural History: Anthropology
- European Association of Social Anthropologists: Why anthropology matters
- US Bureau of Reclamation: Cultural resources publications
Anthropology and Public Health
Anthropology is very important to public health, because it allows both fields to merge together to create better healthcare services for a culturally diverse world. Anthropology will allow those in the healthcare field to better understand diseases and how they have evolved over time, as well as factors such as genetics, environment and culture that could play a part in illness and how it is spread or treated.
Anthropologists that work in public health work to serve the people and create healthcare programs that will work with every culture and every person. For example, anthropologists that work with public health may take a closer look at the AIDS pandemic and how the disease spreads through different populations. They will examine who is most at risk and determine why the risk is higher within different populations. These anthropologists get to the root of the problem so that they can work to eliminate factors contributing to the health risks as well.
Resources:
- PSI: Anthropology + public health = Culturally appropriate solutions
- ELRHA: A Game Changer: The importance of anthropology in public health interventions
- Veterans’ Affairs: Anthropologists provide unique perspective for VA studies
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Career Resources
Most people who study anthropology will be familiar with all subsections of the field2, however will later go on to study one of two areas in depth. Universities are a great source of information when it comes to deciding which career path to select.
Resources:
- Georgetown University: What can I do with my anthropology major?
- Adelphi University: Career paths in anthropology
- United States Department of Labor: Anthropologists and archeologists
Additional Resources
Are you still interested in learning more about anthropology? There are many great resources on the internet if you know where to look. The University of Nevada in Reno gives a great basic overview of aspects of anthropology: Understanding anthropology. National Geographic goes more in-depth in their Anthropology section. The American Folklife Center is also a good place to start of you are looking for literary resources: Ethnographic resources related to folklore, anthropology, ethnomusicology, and the humanities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the study of anthropology?
Anthropology is the scientific study of human societies and cultures, past and present. It encompasses a wide range of subfields, including archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and medical anthropology, that all aim to understand human behavior and the ways in which people interact with their environment. Anthropologists study various aspects of human life, such as social organization, language, religion, art, and technology, to gain insight into human diversity and evolution.
How does medical anthropology differ from other fields of medicine?
Medical anthropology differs from other fields of medicine because it focuses on the sociocultural, political, and economic factors that shape health and illness. While medical doctors primarily treat illness through medical interventions, medical anthropologists look at the broader context in which illness arises and how it is experienced by individuals and communities.
How can anthropologists contribute to public health efforts?
Anthropologists can contribute to public health efforts by conducting research that helps identify and address health disparities and by developing culturally appropriate health interventions. They can also work with communities to develop health programs that are sensitive to local cultural beliefs and practices.
How can I learn more about health and medical anthropology?
There are many resources available to learn more about health and medical anthropology, including academic journals, books, and online resources. Some organizations that focus on medical anthropology, such as the Society for Medical Anthropology, also offer resources and opportunities for learning and engagement.
What role do anthropologists play in healthcare delivery systems?
Anthropologists can play a variety of roles in healthcare delivery systems, including conducting research to identify barriers to healthcare access and developing interventions that address those barriers. They can also work with healthcare providers to develop culturally sensitive care plans and to promote patient-centered care.
How has medical anthropology contributed to our understanding of pandemics?
Medical anthropology has contributed to our understanding of pandemics by examining the cultural, social, and economic factors that contribute to the spread and impact of infectious diseases. By understanding how pandemics are experienced and managed in different cultural contexts, medical anthropologists can help identify effective strategies for prevention and control.
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Heidi Mertlich
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Heidi works with top-rated life insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.