Critical Medical Anthropology
Critical medical anthropology is the study of how the distribution of wealth and power and the division of labor affect disease patterns and health care access. It also takes into account how political and economic forces, including the exercise of power influence health, disease, illness experience and health care (Joralemon 2010:10,41).
What Do Critical Medical Anthropologists do?
Dr. Merrill Singer, professor of anthropology
Critical medical anthropologist Merrill Singer has had a strong influence in this area of study. He adds that critical medical anthropology focuses on the political economy of health and health care. Political economy includes the study of producing and exchanging goods, and the influence of government policy and capitalism on all aspects of life. It may also include the ways in which health services are allocated based on wealth, and the ways in which policy impacts health and delivery of health services (Singer 1995:80).
Singer believes that critical medical anthropology should inspire action and engagement in order to challenge the larger structures with the goal of producing a meaningful social change. As well as unmasking the origins of social inequity and exposing the relationship between social inequity and living and working conditions (Singer 1995:95)
If we look at political and economic factors involved in the story of the Lee family, first and foremost would be the fact that they are political refugees from the war-torn nation of Laos. The Vietnam and the covert operations conducted in Laos was what brought the Lee family to a foreign county where they did not know the language or the culture. Economic factors would include that the Merced County Medical Center did not employ Hmong translators like the larger Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno or involve a social worker or visiting nurse until much later in the story. Had the Lee family had more resources perhaps they would have private practice doctors provide better care and legal representation to prevent Lia from being placed in foster care.
Singer believes that critical medical anthropology should inspire action and engagement in order to challenge the larger structures with the goal of producing a meaningful social change. As well as unmasking the origins of social inequity and exposing the relationship between social inequity and living and working conditions (Singer 1995:95)
If we look at political and economic factors involved in the story of the Lee family, first and foremost would be the fact that they are political refugees from the war-torn nation of Laos. The Vietnam and the covert operations conducted in Laos was what brought the Lee family to a foreign county where they did not know the language or the culture. Economic factors would include that the Merced County Medical Center did not employ Hmong translators like the larger Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno or involve a social worker or visiting nurse until much later in the story. Had the Lee family had more resources perhaps they would have private practice doctors provide better care and legal representation to prevent Lia from being placed in foster care.