Applied Medical Anthropology
Applied medical anthropology began after the post world war period, after 1945, when the United States tried to extend its influence in the world along with major international agency to “eradicate epidemic diseases and improve basic sanitation in poor countries.” However, these endeavors met with what was called “cultural obstacles” resistance … cultural misunderstandings from the: recipient peoples”. Anthropologist were employed to identify and remove these cultural differences to these projects according to (Joralemon 2010:9). One example of applied medical anthropologly, according (Joralemon 2010: 89) was a project designed to reduce water-borne disease in the country of Peru. Households were encouraged to boil water to prevent typhoid, cholera and other water borne diseases. But this program was not successful. The reason for it's failure according to the literature was that the community believed that foods and natural forces were either “hot” or “cold” not literally but as an essential quality of the substance of force, and when exposed to too much of either elements a person's equilibrium was upset, and disease would result. Therefore, according to that culture one might drink boiled water during an illness, but never as a general practice. This highlights the importance of doing research before implementing health programs. So that appropriate interventions and communicating strategies can be tailored toward specific cultural groups. As stated by ( Joralemon 2010: 89) before asking a group of people to assume new health habits it is wise to ascertain existing habits, how these habits are linked, what functions they perform, and what they mean to those who practice them. |
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