What Can Critical Medical Anthropology Contribute to Global Health?

In this commentary, I reflect on challenges with conducting global health research internationally as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) person, grapple with decisions related to coming out in regions with anti-LGBT laws, and outline the risks and benefits of different advocacy options related to the promotion of LGBT health globally. Despite significant advances in LGBT rights in many countries, homosexuality remains illegal in many others. Using a critical medical anthropology framework, I argue that anti-LGBT laws constitute structural violence and have many detrimental consequences including discrimination and violence; poorer mental and physical health outcomes; and risky sexual behaviors. As a global health provider, there are many options for the promotion of LGBT health worldwide.

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A Rejoinder to Wiley's Critique of Critical Medical Anthropology

Medical Anthropology Quarterly ◽

10.1525/maq.1993.7.2.02a00040 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 185-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Merrill Singer

Keyword(s):

Medical Anthropology ◽

Critical Medical Anthropology

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Examining Medical Anthropological Theory as a catalyst for the failure of Clinically Applied Medical Anthropology

SURG Journal ◽

10.21083/surg.v5i1.1319 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 30-36

Author(s):

Lauren J. Wallace

Keyword(s):

Critical Theory ◽

Medical Anthropology ◽

Theoretical Approach ◽

Clinical Setting ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Theoretical Concepts ◽

Anthropological Theory ◽

Applied Medical Anthropology ◽

Critical Medical Anthropology ◽

Culture Concept

Medical anthropological theory may be understood in two ways: first as a set of anthropological concepts and second as the application of these concepts. The theoretical concepts themselves are rarely challenged because they have been fairly well developed. However, the approach to theory and its application has traditionally been underdeveloped and thus requires more thought and practice among anthropologists. This paper asserts that a particularly clear example of the problem with the approach to and application of medical anthropological theory can be viewed in the context of clinically applied medical anthropology (CAMA). I examine two medical anthropological concepts that applied medical anthropologists use in their dealings with clinicians – critical medical anthropology and the culture concept. In doing this, I demonstrate that although these concepts are useful and clinicians need to employ them, there are a number of problems with the theoretical approach. I argue that these problems limit the application of these concepts to CAMA and offer preliminary suggestions to resolve them. In particular, clinically applied anthropologists employing critical theory should work to present a more balanced view of the clinic and physician. In addition, anthropologists working in the clinical setting must update the CAMA literature to ensure a thorough assessment of the current use of anthropological knowledge and concepts – such as culture – in medical schools and clinics.

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