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PubMed1993

Knowledge for use: anthropology and community-centered substance abuse research.

The anthropological world has changed. The ethnographic Other is no longer available and pliant, awaiting anthropological representation, but has acquired a voice of his/her own. As a result, anthropology is faced with a dilemma. What is to be the anthropological role in this transformed world? Two alternatives are examined. The first, postmodernism, stresses the development of experimental ethnographic texts that inscribe the voice of the transformed Other. Noting the weaknesses of the postmodern 'solution,' this paper proposes community-centered research as a more appropriate response to contemporary social realities. In this approach, the anthropologist seeks collaboration with the Other in the struggle for self-determination. Illustration is provided with the case study of anthropologists employed in a Puerto Rican community based organization (CBO), with specific reference to the emergence and development of the substance abuse prevention and treatment work of this CBO. While noting the difficulties of this role, the paper argues that scholarly activism, a model adopted from the Third World, is well suited to the postmodern world.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2004

Men's influences on women's reproductive health: medical anthropological perspectives.

Reproductive health has emerged as an organizational framework that incorporates men into maternal and child health (MCH) programs. For several decades, medical anthropologists have conducted reproductive health research that explores male partners' effects on women's health and the health of children. This article summarizes exemplary research in this area, showing how ethnographic studies by medical anthropologists contribute new insights to the growing public health and demographic literature on men and reproductive health. The first half of the article begins by exploring reproductive rights, examining the concept from an anthropological perspective. As part of this discussion, the question of equality versus equity is addressed, introducing anthropological perspectives on ways to incorporate men fairly into reproductive health programs and policies. The second half of the article then turns to a number of salient examples of men's relevance in the areas of contraception, abortion, pregnancy and childbirth, infertility, and fetal harm. Medical anthropological research--as well as prominent gaps in that research--is highlighted. The article concludes with thoughts on future areas of anthropological research that may improve understandings of men's influences on women's reproductive health.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1996

Anthropology, nursing and midwifery: a natural alliance?

Anthropology, and its supposed operationalisation within transcultural nursing, is becoming increasingly prominent in educational curricula in the U.K. This increase in interest is driven both by governmental pressure to provide more culturally appropriate care, and an intuitive notion that anthropology, nursing and other related professions such as midwifery have a common basis of mutually overlapping and re-enforcing theory and practice. This paper explores the question of whether there is a natural alliance between anthropology, and the applied aspects of health care disciplines such as nursing and midwifery, by examining some of the concepts underlying each discipline, and the ways in which these concepts are applied in practice. Anthropology is the study of culture, and it is suggested that a more complete understanding of this central concept is essential if it is to be utilised in the applied disciplines encompassed by the practice of nursing and midwifery.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2000

Limbs found in water: investigation using anthropological analysis and the diatom test.

We report the investigation, using a multi-disciplinary approach, of five cases of dismembered limbs which were recovered from Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River, and examined at the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario. In all cases, postmortem examination revealed that the limbs had been disarticulated in the postmortem period, by non-human taphonomic processes. In addition to routine gross examination, the femur and/or tibia were assessed using anthropological methods to give estimates of the sex, age, race and stature of the individual. The anthropologic data facilitated the identification of one of the cases. In all cases, nitric acid extracts of the femoral bone marrow were prepared and examined for the presence of diatoms. In all instances, diatom frustules were recovered from marrow extracts, indicating that drowning was the cause of death or at least a significant contributing factor in the cause of death. The use of the diatom test was helpful in excluding the possibility that the limbs were dismembered from individuals who had died by means other than drowning, and had been subsequently 'dumped' into water. The application of anthropological methods and the diatom test for drowning may significantly enhance the medico-legal investigation of body parts recovered from water, and we present an overview of useful techniques here. Anthropological data may facilitate identification, and the diatom test may establish a cause of death.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Anthropological insights into the use of race/ethnicity to explore genetic contributions to disparities in health.

Anthropological insights into the use of race/ethnicity to explore genetic contributions to disparities in health were developed using in-depth qualitative interviews with editorial staff from nineteen genetics journals, focusing on the methodological and conceptual mechanisms required to make race/ethnicity a genetic variable. As such, these analyses explore how and why race/ethnicity comes to be used in the context of genetic research, set against the background of continuing critiques from anthropology and related human sciences that focus on the social construction, structural correlates and limited genetic validity of racial/ethnic categories. The analyses demonstrate how these critiques have failed to engage geneticists, and how geneticists use a range of essentially cultural devices to protect and separate their use of race/ethnicity as a genetic construct from its use as a societal and social science resource. Given its multidisciplinary, biosocial nature and the cultural gaze of its ethnographic methodologies, anthropology is well placed to explore the cultural separation of science and society, and of natural and social science disciplines. Anthropological insights into the use of race/ethnicity to explore disparities in health suggest that moving beyond genetic explanations of innate difference might benefit from a more even-handed critique of how both the natural and social sciences tend to essentialize selective elements of race/ethnicity. Drawing on the example of HIV/AIDS, this paper demonstrates how public health has been undermined by the use of race/ethnicity as an analytical variable, both as a cipher for innate genetic differences in susceptibility and response to treatment, and in its use to identify 'core groups' at greater risk of becoming infected and infecting others. Clearly, a tendency for biological reductionism can place many biomedical issues beyond the scope of public health interventions, while socio-cultural essentialization has tended to stigmatize 'unhealthy behaviours' and the communities where these are more prevalent.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1998

Methods and meanings in anthropological, epidemiological and clinical encounters: the case of sexually transmitted disease and human immunodeficiency virus control and prevention in India.

Rapid assessment procedures informed by anthropology are increasingly commonly being utilised in the formulation of a range of international disease control and prevention strategies. Refinement of these rapid procedures has narrowly focused on their methods, in contrast with the broader potential scope of context-based anthropological contributions. The control of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in India is used to illustrate the potential role of anthropologically informed insights and investigations in the development of effective interventions, with particular reference to the examples of syndromic management, symptom presentation and treatment provision. The paper argues for anthropological epidemiological and clinical studies to be properly integrated in order to fulfil their substantial potential for interdisciplinary illumination.

Anthropology↗
PubMed1990

Postmodernism and medical anthropology: words of caution.

Of late, discourse in anthropology increasingly has been set within the frame of postmodernism. While debate continues as to whether postmodernism represents a particular period or an historically conditioned perspective (or interrelated set of perspectives) within the social sciences and beyond, it is clear that assessment is needed of the impact of postmodernism on work within the field. This paper represents a critique of the potential effect of postmodernism within medical anthropology. It is the argument of this paper that despite the postmodern eschewal of so-called grand theory, postmodern writers in anthropology smuggle a theoretical perspective into their work. The problems of this perspective in terms of the critical turn within medical anthropology are examined.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2000

Globalization of research and international standards of ethics in anthropology.

Ethics and anthropology have entered the era of globalization, and professional discourse about ethics can no longer be confined to a national or domestic dialogue. Anthropology must vigorously join the international dialogue and debate over globalization and the conduct of research across cultures; indeed it is the discipline most suited to command the high ground in this discourse. American anthropology historically has been more reactive than proactive in ethics, but cannot remain so as the nature and condition of research have fundamentally changed in a postcolonial world. Indigenous peoples, Third World researchers, international development workers in government and non-government agencies, and other anthropologists outside of the U.S. are raising questions about international research that are generating new standards of conduct. Anthropology as a discipline and a profession must keep apace with these developments or it will lose ground in a crucial arena of global discourse.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2000

If anthropology is global, then so are its ethical dilemmas.

This paper reviews three personal situations of the author as a student: an NGO activist in the women's movement and a UN official working on women's health and tobacco. Each situation, the kinds of ethical issue posed and lessons for the future direction of ethics in anthropology are outlined. The paper argues that applied anthropology is embedded in the position of the field of anthropology within the politics of the State and that this defines the parameters of individual choice. Contradictions in ethical situations and decision-making are posed by changing from the distant observer to active involvement and these may not be resolved by logic alone. Furthermore, governance and defining global ethical standards such as for the behavior of the tobacco multinational corporations is a fascinating new realm for anthropological ethical resolve.

Anthropology↗
PubMed1995

Beyond the Ivory Tower: critical praxis in medical anthropology.

Recent discussion in critical medical anthropology has turned to the issue of application beyond the academy. Building on Gorz's notion of "non-reformist reform," that is, applied work that unmasks rather than mystifies the sources of social inequality and ill health, this article argues for the possibility of an applied critical medical anthropology, suggests concrete opportunities for such work in health settings, and identifies problems and social conditions that affect the development of a critical health praxis. These points are illustrated by reviewing case studies of anthropological work with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee in Indiana, the United Farm Workers Union in California, and the Hispanic Health Council in Connecticut. The article concludes with an examination of the skills and resources critical medical anthropology has to offer system-challenging movements in health care.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2005

The biological aspects of physiological anthropology with reference to its five keywords.

The methodology of physiological anthropology has been defined in the capacity of an independent academic field by five keywords: environmental adaptability, technological adaptability, physiological polymorphism, whole-body coordination and functional potentiality, clearly suggesting the direction of approach to human beings in the field of physiological anthropology. Recently, these keywords have attracted a great deal of attention from physiological anthropologists in Japan. Physiological anthropology is based on a biological framework. From the viewpoint of biology, it is essential to discuss the biological function of human behavior. In this brief conceptual manuscript, the biological aspects of physiological anthropology are discussed in relation to the five keywords.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed2001

[Concepts of anthropological medicine].

Medical anthropology is the teaching of the ill human being, of being ill; anthropological medicine is the realization of this teaching in practice. This concept was first developed and assessed in the "Gestaltkreis" and in the Pathosophy (44), in Medicine in Motion (39), and in the Bipersonality (10). The four most important concepts are represented, which have their origin and aim in anthropological medicine: anthropological medicine, Balint-work, family-oriented medicine, and salutogenesis. These concepts are exemplified in the Aachen psychosomatic liaison model, the Aachen Balint cooperation model, and the Aachen model of psychosomatic care. We wish to portray the meaning of these resources for the medicine of the future, since they have proven to be effective, cost-saving, and easy to be handled. In the latter part of our presentation, we will document this point with a pilot study conducted in Israel and in our own clinic in Aachen.

Anthropology↗
PubMed1998

[With reference to the body anthropology: a human being].

What does a man consist of? - the query "as old as a world". Does he consist of soul and body being the separate independent entities, or is he a mixture of those elements constituting an inseparable whole? It is a question which scientists of various disciplines are still trying to answer. While belief that those two elements coexist separately was sufficient for dualists, the burden of constant search for the "liaison" between the spiritual and the corporeal lay on the monists. The intellectual change of modern and post-modern times inaugurated the change also in this respect. The anthropological controversy assumes different shapes now: man is seen monisticaly, as a whole, and new directions in seeing the world and cognition are being formed. Phenomenology as well as cultural anthropology has done a lot in this field. While studying human body it also studies a man as a whole (body - subject); human body changes as if inherently according to a biological order but it is also shaped by "history", i.e. events, society, learning, politics, culture. And in those contexts body is studied by anthropology - a new specialization emerges: anthropology of body.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2002

[Tradition and innovation in Zurich anthropology between 1915 and 1925].

An analysis of the publications of the Zurich anthropologists, Adolph Hans Schultz (1891-1976) and Otto Schlaginhaufen (1879-1973) from 1915 to 1925 revealed that both were interested in various subjects and worked on different materials but used the same quantitative method of their teacher, Rudolf Martin (1864-1925). Thus, this method is likely to be the supporting element of the Zurich school of anthropology. The 1915-1925 period describes the earliest stage in Schultz's scientific career and his first years in America, prior to his expeditions to Panama, Siam, and Borneo which presumably led to a change in his object selection. Eugenics became an interdisciplinary guideline of research furthered by the Zurich school of anthropology. Schlaginhaufen as head of the Department of Anthropology and a foundation for anthropological research had a direct influence on other research groups within his university.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The scope of anthropological contributions to human rights investigations.

This paper examines the participation of anthropologists in international human rights investigations between 1990 and 1999 by surveying four of the most active organizations, including the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, Physicians for Human Rights and the U.N.-sponsored International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The education level, sex, nationality and primary role of the anthropological members of each team are quantified, as are the types of projects in which they contributed. The results show that 134 anthropologists from 22 nations investigated nearly 1300 sites in 33 countries during the study period. While involvement is not limited to those with advanced degrees and few obstacles are placed before anthropologists who wish to participate, full-time service within these organizations is rare and those interested in a career in forensic anthropology and human rights should understand the employment limitations.

Argentina↗
PubMed2005

Cyber-anthropology: a new study on human and technological co-evolution.

For the first time cyber-anthropology is defined as a concept and a new field of study aimed at the analysis of person's reciprocal relations with the computer-generated (CG) world evolved as a result of technological progress. In the cyber-era, simulated reality has come to the point of becoming a force that has the potential to transform the human race. Digital beings such as virtual and embodied agents, although not a part of the natural human habitat, have become necessary elements of people's surroundings and life conditions. As a theoretical construct, Cyber-anthropology is concerned with the merger of natural and artificial worlds mediated by the human imagination, as well as compatibility between people and digital life they have created. As an empirical study, Cyber-anthropology deals with the psychophysiology and psychophysics, semantic and semiotics of human engagement with computer-generated reality that is viewed as a Complex Interactive System. Personal competence as a crucial element of any cyber-system underlines the importance of psychological culture in artificial world exploration. A newly developed concept of Psychological Culture is viewed as an essential part of Cyber-anthropology while concentrating on the following core issues: (1) ethical questions, such as whether or not technological tools can be employed to solve human problems; (2) moral consequences of bringing cutting edge technology into our every day life; (3) studies of individual differences regarding psychological competence of technology users through effective vs. ineffective, independent vs. addictive, and active vs. passive dichotomies. Psychological Culture is defined as the study of a person's competence associated with the use of modern technology and individual acceptability of technological innovations. Several crucial dilemmas arise when a human being is engaged in a simulated environment, and artificial agents inhabit a human world. The ultimate goal of Psychological Culture is to provide people with the knowledge necessary for adequate recognition of scientific innovations to overcome obstacles in the process of implementing technology to enhance human well being.

Anthropology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical anthropology and the family physician.

As family physicians increasingly begin to practice in a variety of settings both in the U.S. and abroad, they are faced with the challenge of caring for patients from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. In particular it has been suggested that delivering effective and acceptable community oriented primary care requires a deeper understanding of the cultural background of patients, their families, and the social contexts in which they live. In this paper, the authors provide an introduction to the field of medical anthropology--the discipline which studies the cultural dimensions of health, illness, and the medical care system. The "anthropology of family medicine" (the theoretical focus) is distinguished from the "anthropology of family practice" (the applied focus), and contributions from medical anthropological research at the micro (practitioner-patient relationship), intermediate (family), and macro (community) levels of analysis are examined. In particular, three clinical case vignettes are presented which illustrate the ways in which cultural issues can become critical in the care of patients and their families. Finally, the activities of the STFM Task Force on Skills and Curriculum Development in Cross-Cultural Experiences are described, and future directions for research and teaching efforts are proposed.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1997

Scientometric analysis of anthropology in the Republic of Croatia for the period of 1980-1996.

Anthropologists from the Republic of Croatia have published 254 scientific papers in the period from 1980-1996, that are included in the secondary publication Social Science Citation Index. Scientists working in the scientific subfield anthropology participate with approximately 2% in the overall scientific output of the Republic of Croatia. Thirty-six international articles were published (14.2% of the total number), while the rest of 218 papers were published solely by domestic authors. An average anthropological paper is published by 3.06 authors, and approximately one-third of all articles by a single author. The major part of scientific papers (237 articles or 93.3%), Croatian anthropologists have published in a domestic primary scientific journal Collegium Antropologicum. All scientific papers together obtained 380 citations or 1.5 citations per article. The citation of articles is approximately 60% above the expected average for the respective journals. Published international papers had 6.6 citations, while articles by domestic authors had 0.65 citation per paper. Anthropological scientific papers obtained 154 independent citations and participate with 40.5% in the total number of citations. In the first five years after publishing, 166 articles (65.4% of the total number) were not cited, while the world's average for the scientific subfield anthropology was greater, 79.5% uncited articles. Only 19.4% of international papers and 72.9% of domestic papers were not cited in this five-year period. Based on scientometric indicators of a scientific output, that is, the number of published papers, partial scientific contribution, i.e., partial authorship, and scientific influence, i.e. number of citations, a method for the evaluation of scientific papers and their authors has been suggested in this paper.

Anthropology↗