Anthropologists and Non-Communicable Diseases
Health care, not only can be provided by health care professionals, but also by multidisciplinary approaches. Communicable and non-communicable diseases need a multidisciplinary approach in order to create care plans that suits the appropriateness. Non-communicable diseases, such as stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic heart and respiratory disease, are major causes of death worldwide and account for almost two-thirds of the global population’s death (Beaglehole et al., 2011). In addition, in an article by Beaglehole et al. (2011), reports that non-communicable disease mortality rate is approximately two times higher in lower to middle income countries than in high income countries. It is important
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The goal of the care plan would be to provide and to implement effective prevention strategies to reduce the mortality rate. (Balbus et al., 2013).The most important step in interventions for non-communicable diseases are evidence of the effectiveness and effects of intervention (Beaglehole et al., 2011). Anthropologists can study what the needs are and the current status in specific regions to create possible care plan with various multidisciplinary professionals. Socio-cultural anthropologist can investigate on cultural norms and societal factors that affect health care. This investigation can be done by fieldwork, where anthropologists engage in participant-observation (Schultz, Lavenda, & Dods, 2012). This process involves interactions that are direct, face-to face between researchers and local research partners to gain insightful data (Schultz et al., 2012). Through fieldwork, anthropologists can encounter factual circumstances and standpoints of health care that will shape the proposal of a possible health care …show more content…
M., Barouki, R., Brinbaum, L. S., Etzel, R. A., Gluckman, P. D., Grandjean, P., . . . Tang, K. C. (2013). Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases. The Lancet, 381 (9860), 3-4. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61609-2
Beaglehole, R., Bonita, R., Horton, R., Adams, C., Alleyne, G., Asaria, P., . . . Keeling, A. (2011). Priority actions for the non-communicable disease crisis. The Lancet, 227 (9775), 1438-1447. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60393-0
Henry, L. R. (2015). Medical anthropology and the physician assistant profession. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 28, (1), 53-57. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000453863.62323.ef
Schultz, E.A., Lavenda, R.H., Dods, R.R. (2012). Cultural anthropology: a perspective on the human condition (2nd ed.). Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford University
Communicable diseases account for approximately 1/4th of worldwide mortality, contributing to more than 15 million deaths each year (Kierny, Exclor, and Girard, 2004).
There has been much study into how culture can impact the quality of health care, but not enough education on what can specifically be changed or how to change it. In The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down, a comprehensive example is presented using the implications of culture on the healthcare of a little girl named Lia Lee. Through evaluation, I have identified five major areas and examples of each that exemplify the clash of cultures presented in this book: Environmental Controls, Social Organization, Communication, Space, and
Medical Anthropology: the study of health, illness, and healing from a cultural and/or cross-cultural perspective.
It is critical to understand the epidemiology of such diseases that overcome a population. With this skill, it would enable health care managers to incorporate such skills to make proper evidence and population based decisions, especially when health resources are limited. In addition, finance, planning, quality issue assessments, and evidence based public health practice would be considered (Healey & Lesneksi, 2011). This can allow them to not only develop best practices, but to also share them through the health care system (Healey & Lesneksi, 2011).
Chronic disease is a burden for the healthcare authorities in U.S. due to the rising cost. Surely, the debilitating costly effects of chronic conditions is preventable. The economic effects of chronic disease extend beyond the cost of health care, evidence-based practice shows that disease prevention starting to all the people who are at risk of developing any chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, arthritis, obesity, and oral diseases should be a priority for the healthcare authorities. To reduce cost and health disparities, there are certain measures that should be taking by the healthcare authorities. For example, access to a local comprehensive and quality health services is
In the first synthesis essay, examination of worldview was identified as one of the most important concepts necessary to understand and interpret medical anthropology. Worldview is the reason that there are many different types of medical systems. As explained in lecture, these include diagnosis, healing, and some form of payment to the healer. The study of these different medical systems falls under the term ethnomedicine. Singer describes ethnomedicine as the idea that all medical systems develop from “particular sociocultural systems regardless of the scale of the society.” For example our US healthcare system, based on western worldview, is a hierarchy of administrators who tell the doctors what they can and cannot do. Our devotion to the US healthcare system stems from our need to label the symptom or disease such as nasal drip and a cough can be labeled as a common cold. The worldview seen here is the need for immediate cures to avoid interrupting our busy lives. On the other hand, in “Touching the Timeless” with Billy Yellow from the Navajo tribe, there are many steps to prepare for his healing ritual such as the sweat hogan, where purification rituals are performed, in this case, before a strong spiritual ritual can be done. Thus understanding the worldview that comes with the development of medical systems is vital to understanding why the practices are being used and being able to compare these medical systems cross culturally.
The concept of indigenous sovereignty is the most debated and contested subject among Indigenous academicians and politicians. To further expand the concept and understand indigenous sovereignty, Aileen brought a new insight and perspectives through the lenses of sociological thought. The Judicio-political is a commonly used approach by many theorists on indigenous sovereignty. In this respect, the author sought to challenge the concept of indigenous sovereignty situated within the Judicio-political framework and the overall epistemological foundation upon which it is built.
Without a doubt, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is one of the most famous plays in English literature. On the other hand, Disney’s The Lion King is a beloved movie for children and adult. To this day, many producers of animated movies integrate great literature, which makes The Lion King such a great movie. Apart from the difference that on is play written centuries ago and one is an animated movie, they are similar in their character traits, plots and themes. The main similarity many find is the characters, Hamlet and Simba.
Culture may be defined as the learned and shared beliefs, morals and values that guide a group’s lifestyle and ways of thinking (Leininger & McFarland, 2009). These concepts are passed down inter-generationally and provide the foundation of a group’s way of life. Culture is often compared to a blueprint; it guides the actions that impact caregiving, health and well-being. Extending far beyond ethnicity and social formalities, culture, includes religious, socioeconomic, geographic, occupational, and sexual orientation-related beliefs and values. Many healthcare providers believe that overcoming linguistic barriers or having a rudimentary understanding of a few ethic practices, is enough to address the diverse needs of the client. However,
The opportunity cost of doing too little to stem this pandemic is apparent to many, but not, it would seem, to those who need to take hard and firm policy decisions to create healthier environments in schools, homes, hospitals and workplaces. We also need to ensure funding for quality treatment is available and accessible to all to prevent or delay
Anthropology is a combination of the words “Anthropos” and “Logos”. It simply means the study of human. Since the human beings have both biological and cultural characteristics, anthropology extensively studies including both aspects. However, culture is the most important thing in anthropology. The culture of a particular organization, group, or country consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave. The particular traits and characteristics are held in common within that environment and are passed on generationally. Based on the culture of the community, group, or country, we can deeply research and understand their life style. The best method that is used
Therefore, I will always keep in mind that those skills and behaviours are necessary to work together and communicate sensitively and efficiently with Indigenous patients. Ultimately this cultural awareness will lead me to provide better health care. This reading emphasises the importance of cultural awareness which improved my understanding and respect for other cultures. This understanding encouraged and influenced me to practice in a culturally sensitive way, which is safer way and in addition it creates responsiveness between professionals and
In the United States (U.S.), chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability. Chronic disease activities are sparsely delivered in the U.S. despite the fact that 7 out of 10 deaths are caused by chronic diseases, every year; and 75% of our health care costs 75% of health care costs are attributable to preventable diseases.1,2 One main reason for this imbalance is that funding for chronic disease prevention activities is limited. In fact, only 3% of the U.S. total health expenditure is devoted to public health.3 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading federal agency for public health spends an estimated 70% of its budget on infection disease prevention and control, with less than 10% of its spending devoted to chronic disease prevention.4
The third sustainable development goal is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well -being for all at all ages” which includes a focus on children (UN, 2015). The top six global causes that account for 73% of yearly deaths in children younger than 5 years of age are pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, neonatal pneumonia or sepsis, preterm delivery, and asphyxia at birth (Bryce et al., 2005). Each year diseases that are both preventable and treatable cause the deaths of millions of people (CIRH, 2013). Childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise and, childhood is a crucial time for prevention of modifiable risk factors for
Somehow I have become a shadow in this afterlife, remaining alongside the other animals, although they are unable to see me. But, there is something that is holding me to remain with the other animals, here at the farm. I want to see what they do, I want to see if they will be able to follow my vision of a farm not run by humans.