Question 1

Illness narratives

Accepted Answer

Illness narratives are personal stories that people tell about their illness, which can include their experiences, emotions, and perceptions of their illness. These narratives are often used in medical anthropology as a way to better understand the cultural and social dimensions of illness.

Question 2

Describe the factors that contribute to the state of health for the residents of colonias in Texas.What is the infrastructure like in these communities? Analyze this situation from the perspective of critical medical anthropology by identifying three diseases that may be attributed to specific conditions.For example,what factors in the infrastructure might cause the spread of dengue? Do residents have access to health care? If not,what are the deterring factors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the factors that contribute to the...

Question 3

Anthropologist Arthur Kleinman's work involves the collecting of different illness narratives,which can be vital in the

Accepted Answer

Kleinman's work focuses on understanding illness and healing across cultural divides, therefore his collection of illness narratives is useful in promoting good health and treating illness in diverse cultural settings, including non-Western cultures.

Question 4

Bridget Jordan and Robbie Davis-Floyd studied expectant mothers in Mexico,Sweden,Holland,and the United States.Among their findings was the realization that different cultures see birth in different ways,and this directly impacts

Accepted Answer

The study found that different cultures have different perceptions of birth, which directly impacts the experience of the birthing process itself.

Question 5

From the perspective of a medical anthropologist,all medical systems constitute a form of ________ because they are based in a particular local cultural reality.

Accepted Answer

Medical anthropology is the study of how culture, society, and politics intersect with health, illness, and healing. Ethnomedicine is the study of traditional medical practices from different cultures and how they relate to health and illness. Thus, medical systems from different cultures are considered ethnomedical systems because they are shaped by and reflective of the local cultural reality. Biomedicine is a specific type of medical system that focuses on the biological and physiological aspects of illness and disease. Ethnopharmacology is the study of traditional medicines and their chemical composition, while medical pluralism is the coexistence and interaction of multiple medical systems within a society. While these concepts are related, they do not fully encompass the idea of medical systems as a reflection of local cultural reality, making option A the best choice.

Question 6

Which of the following statements accurately describes Chinese medicine?

Accepted Answer

Chinese medical practices vary widely within China, from patient to patient, and also over time. Chinese medicine is a complex system of medical practices influenced by cultural beliefs and philosophies that have evolved over thousands of years. While there are some common practices and principles, there is also a great deal of diversity in Chinese medicine, both within China and among practitioners outside of China.

Question 7

Paul Farmer conducted his fieldwork in Haiti,one of the poorest countries in the world.This afforded a powerful opportunity to understand

Accepted Answer

Paul Farmer's fieldwork in Haiti allowed him to observe firsthand the impact of poverty and inequality on access to healthcare, particularly for marginalized populations. He has conducted extensive research on the social determinants of health and how they intersect with medical care, and has advocated for structural changes to address these issues.

Question 8

According to the text,medical anthropology's holistic approach sees health as something that happens in part due to a product of

Accepted Answer

Medical anthropology's holistic approach considers health as influenced by environmental factors and socio-economic conditions, such as the absence of poverty and violence.

Question 9

Khiara Bridges studied mothers in New York City.Her work revealed the deep schism between

Accepted Answer

Khiara Bridges studied the experiences of black and white pregnant women in New York City and found that there was a significant disparity in the quality and type of treatment received by black mothers compared to their white counterparts. Black women were more likely to receive indirect and disrespectful care from healthcare providers and were often subjected to pressure or coercion to have C-sections or other medical interventions that they did not want or need. Meanwhile, white women received more personalized and supportive care, with doctors and nurses taking the time to get to know them as individuals and involve them in decision-making about their care. Bridges' research highlighted the racial biases and systemic inequalities that exist within the healthcare system and the urgent need for reform to ensure that all mothers receive equitable and respectful care regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Question 10

We are taught that cleanliness is a vital part of daily life,that antibacterial soaps,cleaning products that completely eliminate the possibility of germs on surfaces,cooking and food handling that absolutely precludes the chance of ingesting a "bug," is an essential path to good health.This approach is now under scrutiny because of our understanding of

Accepted Answer

The concept of human microbiomes, which are the communities of microorganisms that live on and within our bodies, has led to a re-evaluation of the traditional approach to cleanliness. Our microbiomes play important roles in maintaining our health, and overly aggressive cleaning and disinfecting can disrupt this delicate balance, potentially leading to negative health outcomes. Therefore, understanding and cultivating a healthy microbiome is a key consideration in promoting overall health, rather than simply trying to eliminate all germs.

Question 11

Anne Fadiman studied the Hmong immigrant population in the United States.Her work suggests that one of the biggest challenges faced by this population is a lack of

Accepted Answer

Anne Fadiman's work suggests that the biggest challenge faced by the Hmong immigrant population in the United States is a lack of English language knowledge, which creates barriers to accessing healthcare, education, and other essential services.

Question 12

How have the processes of globalization and Westernization affected health care in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas? Specifically,describe the care provided by Tibetan Buddhist healers,and provide three specific examples of how this system has changed during the past thirty years in terms of how these healers are compensated,the introduction of Western medical approaches,and the global interest in this type of health care.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How have the processes of globalization and...

Question 13

One of the ways that anthropologist Paul Farmer put the results of his anthropological fieldwork to actual practice was through the

Accepted Answer

Paul Farmer founded Partners in Health, which works with local communities in Haiti to improve the health conditions of poor Haitians. This is a concrete example of how Farmer applied the results of his anthropological fieldwork to actual practice.

Question 14

What is biomedicine,and how do the practitioners view and treat diseases? Discuss two criticisms that anthropologists have about the European biases in the model relative to ethnocentric views about non-Western populations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is biomedicine,and how do the practitioners...

Question 15

What are the four factors that anthropologists examine when they study childbirth practices cross-culturally? Contrast the view and practice of childbirth in U.S.hospitals with the typical birth experience in Sweden and Holland.What do anthropologists learn about variations in the approaches to childbirth?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the four factors that anthropologists...

Question 16

Discuss how "traditional" Chinese medicine (TCM)has "gone global." What are two underlying beliefs that shape this approach to health care despite the range of areas where TCM is practiced? What is qi,and what does this type of treatment attempt to achieve? Distinguish between three different forms of treatment within TCM.How and when did Chinese medical practices become more widespread in North America and Europe,and which are most common in California?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss how "traditional" Chinese medicine (TCM)has "gone...

Question 17

Anthropologists believe that culture plays an underlying role in ways that health is perceived,experienced,and treated.Using the example of the Maya of Yucatán,identify two specific aspects of the birth process and explain how these reflect local cultural values and community conditions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anthropologists believe that culture plays an underlying...

Question 18

Since 1996,the rate of births by cesarean section (C-section)in the United States has

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, the rate of births by C-section in the United States has increased dramatically since 1996. The statement also suggests that this increase is more likely due to cultural conceptions of childbirth and institutional pressure rather than medical necessity. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not match the statement.

Question 19

The first step healers might use when collecting illness narratives would be to

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient to describe their perspective of the health problem is the first step in collecting illness narratives. This allows the healer to understand the patient's beliefs, attitudes, and feelings about their illness, which can be important in developing an effective treatment plan. Collecting information about the treatment plan in use and assessing the illness would come later in the process. Contacting a healer from the patient's home culture may not always be possible or necessary.

Question 20

The example of Lia Lee and the tragic ending to her story demonstrates that health is a matter of

Accepted Answer

Lia Lee's story illustrates that factors beyond just physical health, such as cultural beliefs and social support, can impact a patient's well-being. A lack of understanding and communication between the doctors and Lia Lee's family regarding their beliefs and practices ultimately led to her tragic ending.

Quiz 14: Health and Illness