Anthropology

Medical anthropology is playing an increasingly important role in public health. This course builds on basic concepts introduced in ANTH 2504 with an emphasis on the contributions of medical anthropological theories and concepts towards an understanding of complex health-related behavior. This course examines why public health policies and interventions are more likely to be effective if the beliefs and behavior of people are understood and taken into account. Some examples of particular health problems are examined, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, malaria and other communicable and non-communicable diseases to show how an anthropological approach can contribute to both a better understanding of health and illness and to more culturally appropriate public health measures.