Culture, Health and Illness

TLDR

Cultural and social factors play a critical role in illness, health, and health care delivery, yet their clinical importance remains incompletely understood. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the emerging discipline of medical anthropology. It is broadly applicable and will interest those planning to work abroad or undertake electives. The book will also be useful to other audiences.

Abstract

How much do we fully understand the clinical importance of cultural and social factors in illness, health, and the delivery of health care? In what sense can health problems be understood in terms of their cultural and social settings? This is the scope of the relatively young discipline of medical anthropology to which this book gives a comprehensive introduction. The book has wide application and will interest all those thinking of working abroad or going on electives. But it will also be useful …