Syndemics: A Cross-Disciplinary Approach to Complex Epidemic Events Like COVID-19

In this review, we trace the origins and dissemination of syndemics, a concept developed within critical medical anthropology that rapidly diffused to other fields. The goal is to provide a review of the literature, with a focus on key debates. After a brief discussion of the nature and significance of syndemic theory and its applications, we trace the history and development of the syndemic framework within anthropology and the contributions of anthropologists who use it. We also look beyond anthropology to the adoption and use of syndemics in other health-related disciplines, including biomedicine, nursing, public health, and psychology, and discuss controversies in syndemics, particularly the perception that existing syndemics research focuses on methodologies at the individual level rather than at the population level and fails to provide evidence of synergistic interactions. Finally, we discuss emerging syndemics research on COVID-19 and provide an overview of the application of syndemics research.

Gamlin, J. et al. (eds). (2020). Critical Medical Anthropology: Perspectives in and from Latin America. London: UCL Press.

Resenha da coletânea Critical Medical Anthropology: Perspectives in and from Latin America, editada por J. Gamlin et al, publicada em 2020.

The new public health imposed and its missing links - people, cultures, anthropology, health for all

Critical medical anthropology has been active throughout the decades (Baer, Susser, Singer 1986; Lock, Nichter, 2002; Lupton, 1995. 2000, 2015) in proving that public health is not only an addition to equations of equity in health care but rooted in cultures of people globally (Špoljar Vržina 2003, 2007, 2008; 2011, 2013, 2021; Špoljar Vržina, Rudan, 2009). Italian anthropologist codified the postmodern 'doing good only in states of emergencies' (Pandolfi, 2010). In times of Corona Covid 19 -2020 epidemiological freights we are urged to take this further into account, especially since witnessing racial stigmatizing on the basis of ethnicity and nationality. Paradoxically, Italy as one of the cradles of quarantines is facing the potential permanent closure of neighbouring borders rather than experiencing a historically practiced cooperation, as in the case with Croatia, over centuries (Blažina, Blažina 2015). If there should be a New Public Health (Baum 2016, 2019; Lupton 1997, 2000) it should be recalibrated by anthropological findings that re- focus towards the good of people, cultures and their cooperation. The work of this paper presents this urgent challenge. This anthropological research is a long-term follow up of Croatian medicine system dismantling (Špoljar Vržina, 2008 onwards) through a continuous analyses of micro (people), intermediary (governmental) and macro (international) changes (Bear et al. 1986), departures from functioning for the benefit of people and finding entry points for ethical corrective interventions. The analysis proved an existing switch of the public health paradigm from global health into states of neoliberal sickness, with clear possibilities of returning to 'health for all' if disengaging from the politics of culture/public health. Public health enhancements need to be based on the recalibration towards knowledges of populational and cultural realities. Key messages Reintroducing the ‘innovative’ wisdom of doing good for all regardless of emergencies is the core of a new public health agenda. The new public health agenda is based on recognizing cultures as pillars of communities and global societies that matter.