Medical Anthropology - Social Health

Medical Anthropology ANTH 2301 Social Health The science-based ethnomedical approach known as "biomedicine," which is mostly used in the United States, recognises the close relationship between mental and physical health. One component of health always suffers when the other does too. This acknowledgment highlights the significance of a comprehensive approach to healthcare, which is progressively embracing social health as a third component of health. In contrast to mental and physical health, social health has long been acknowledged by many ethnomedical systems worldwide. An inclusive approach that combines mental, physical, and social health is necessary to understand human well-being. This trio is emphasised in all medical anthropology theoretical frameworks as being necessary for a thorough knowledge of health. A wide range of sociocultural elements that affect the well-being of both people and communities have an impact on social health. Macroeconomic, political, and cultural factors influence social health. These factors impact social support networks, healthcare, and resource accessibility, which in turn affects how well people and communities fare in terms of health. The social health landscape is significantly shaped by political-economic systems, including social inequality, healthcare policy, and economic stability. Different groups' perspectives on and approaches to managing health are further influenced by cultural elements, such as customs, beliefs, and social conventions. Social health on an individual basis involves the assistance from members of one's wider social network, such as friends, family, and neighbours. This social support, which offers emotional support, useful help, and a sense of belonging, is essential for both mental and physical well-being. On the other hand, societal pressures or stigmatisation might have a negative impact on social health. People who are subjected to prejudice or exclusion, for example, may feel more stressed and anxious, which might worsen their physical health. People's interpretations of their experiences, which are influenced by their social and cultural backgrounds, can have a big impact on their general health. In many situations, it is clear how important mental, social, and physical health are to one another. For example, a chronic disease can cause mental health problems like worry and sadness in addition to its physical effects. It is also possible for physical symptoms and disorders to arise from poor mental health, indicating the reciprocal interaction between both aspects of health. Physical and mental health are likely to suffer when social health is harmed, whether as a result of social stigma, lack of support, or isolation. An additional important element that influences human health and well-being is the physical environment. Islands and deserts are examples of natural settings that offer particular possibilities and difficulties that affect the cultural adaptations and behaviours of the people who live there. For instance, depending on the resources at their disposal, island societies could have distinctive social structures and eating customs, whereas desert groups might have diverse cultural customs and survival tactics. Over time, these environmental influences influence biological adaptations as well as cultural behaviours. Workplaces and other built and altered settings, including cities, have a big impact on how people's health turns out. For example, the environmental pressures and lifestyle habits of Los Angeles office workers differ from those of hunter-gatherers in the Amazon River basin. Physical health outcomes including respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and general well-being are influenced by the built environment, which includes elements like air quality, noise levels, and accessibility to green areas. Moreover, cultural traditions and patterns of subsistence have a big impact on how individuals interact with their surroundings, which has a big impact on health. Human biology is significantly influenced by culture; eating habits are one such example. Certain food consumptions, such as those high in spice, might affect physiological reactions and health consequences. These food choices may cause genetic modifications and shifts in community health patterns over several generations. Dietary taboos, like the ban on eating pork in some cultures, can have long-term effects on one's biology and health. These dietary decisions, which are influenced by culture, affect biology in both short- and long-term ways by influencing nutrient intake, digestive health, and susceptibility to specific illnesses. In summary, mental, bodily, and social health must be integrated in order to comprehend human well-being holistically. The relationships between these aspects are complex and have a substantial impact on the overall health results. A multitude of intricate sociocultural elements influence social health, which is a critical component in determining both individual and group wellness. Social support and stigma at the individual level, as well as macro-level cultural and political-economic factors, all influence the results of social health. Cultural adaptations and behaviours are influenced by the physical environment, whether it is manmade or natural, and these factors ultimately impact biological health. Furthermore, over time, cultural practices—especially food habits—have an impact on human genetics. Understanding these interrelated aspects of health is crucial to creating all-encompassing healthcare strategies that take into account the various aspects that affect people's quality of life. Improving health outcomes and fostering general well-being will depend on biomedicine adopting a more holistic viewpoint that takes social health into account in addition to mental and physical health as it continues to develop.