Anthropology is defined to be the “holistic study of biological and cultural aspects of human beings”. Whereas Epidemiology is defined to be the “study of disease and what are its causal factors, the measurements and modes of transmission”. The essay will give a brief description of what does anthropology and epidemiology entail and will critically discuss the relationship between anthropology and epidemiology in health care.
Medical anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that draws upon social, cultural, biological anthropology to better understand diseases and illnesses. Medical anthropology considers the biological, psychological and social factors into understanding health and illnesses, this is referred to as the biopsychosocial approach. …show more content…
The reason behind epidemiology being said to be reductionistic and positivistic is because epidemiology deals a lot with statistics and information that is measurable. They do not interact with people a lot. “Epidemiologists devoid real human interaction” (Inhorn, 1995: 286). Whereas anthropologists are seen as “highly interactive, interpretive, intensive encounter with real people on their own terms and turf” (Inhorn, 1995: 286). Anthropologists need the context and perspective (emic perspective) of the patients and epidemiologists want to know how many people are infected with a certain disease and how to treat them.
Thirdly, epidemiology and anthropology employ different methods. Anthropologists and epidemiologists both communicate with people in order gather the information they need. They all use the ‘participant observational methodology’ but anthropologists use mostly interviews and oral history telling. Epidemiologists use surveys, record reviewing and questionnaires in order to get the information they need. Surveys mostly include open ended questions. Anthropologists find meanings attached to the information they gathered and epidemiologists rate risk factors from high, medium and
Medical anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that draws upon social, cultural, biological anthropology to better understand diseases and illnesses. Medical anthropology considers the biological, psychological and social factors into understanding health and illnesses, this is referred to as the biopsychosocial approach. …show more content…
The reason behind epidemiology being said to be reductionistic and positivistic is because epidemiology deals a lot with statistics and information that is measurable. They do not interact with people a lot. “Epidemiologists devoid real human interaction” (Inhorn, 1995: 286). Whereas anthropologists are seen as “highly interactive, interpretive, intensive encounter with real people on their own terms and turf” (Inhorn, 1995: 286). Anthropologists need the context and perspective (emic perspective) of the patients and epidemiologists want to know how many people are infected with a certain disease and how to treat them.
Thirdly, epidemiology and anthropology employ different methods. Anthropologists and epidemiologists both communicate with people in order gather the information they need. They all use the ‘participant observational methodology’ but anthropologists use mostly interviews and oral history telling. Epidemiologists use surveys, record reviewing and questionnaires in order to get the information they need. Surveys mostly include open ended questions. Anthropologists find meanings attached to the information they gathered and epidemiologists rate risk factors from high, medium and