How can applied anthropology improve health care, economic
development, education and technology in society? Use examples to
support your argument.
Applied Anthropology can improve many contributing factors in society, such as health care,
economic development, education and even technology. In a paper written by Thomas Hylland
Eriksen (2010, p194), he explains that the study of anthropology is“..first and foremost a way of
thinking that can be applied to any aspect of human life, distinguishing itself by trying to account for
human diversity, studied through long-term fieldwork…”. Through observational fieldwork,
anthropologists can assist troubled factors within communities. The study of medicine can help
improve the conditions in an underprivileged society by introducing methods, vaccines, and
medicines. Economic development can improve things such as water infrastructure and farming.
Education can increase the knowledge of current and future generations which can lead to further
economic development. And finally, technology of the western culture can improve the efficiency of
how certain tasks within the community are performed. All of these factors can contribute to improving
a communities survival and way of life.
The biocultural study of disease, health problems and health care systems have improved conditions
in indigenous and poverty-stricken societies. Using a ‘multifactorial model’, medical anthropologists
have identified several distinct factors that contribute to disease and illness in such a society which
include; culture, genetics, and the environment. Certain diseases are hereditary and are therefore
passed on through generations and environmental situations such as cold weather or unhygienic
living standards can cause low immunity, making a person prone to sickness. Medical anthropology
can assist communities with this by introducing certain medical methods, vaccines, medicines and
providing advice.
– Multifactorial model of disease
– Sanergy (making sanitation accessible and affordable)
