Question: What roles do Medical Anthropologists play in international health programs? Why are people with such training and experience well suited to make positive contributions to such work?

Expert answer

Medical anthropologists play a variety of roles in international health programs. They may, for example, be involved in designing and conducting research, providing training and technical assistance, or working as program managers. One of the reasons medical anthropologists are well-suited to make positive contributions to such work is their ability to understand the cultural context in which health problems occur and to develop culturally appropriate interventions.

Medical anthropologists working in international health program typically have a strong grounding in one or more of the social sciences, such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, or political science. In addition, many have training in public health or medicine. This combination of skills and knowledge helps them to effectively address the complexities of health problems in low- and middle-income countries.

Medical anthropologists working in international health programs may find themselves involved in a wide range of activities. These can include conducting research on the social and cultural determinants of health, providing training and technical assistance to health care workers, developing culturally appropriate interventions, and evaluating the effectiveness of health programs.