Global Health: Why Cultural Perceptions, Social Representations, and Biopolitics Matter

by Mark Nichter

In this lesson-packed book, Mark Nichter, one of the world’s leading medical anthropologists, summarizes what more than a quarter-century of health social science research has contributed to international health and elucidates what social science research can contribute to global health and the study of biopolitics in the future. Nichter focuses on our cultural understanding of infectious and vector-borne diseases, how they are understood locally, and how various populations respond to public health interventions. The book examines the perceptions of three groups whose points of view on illness, health care, and the politics of responsibility often differ and frequently conflict: local populations living in developing countries, public health practitioners working in international health, and health planners/policy makers. The book is written for both health social scientists working in the fields of international health and development and public health practitioners interested in learning practical lessons they can put to good use when engaging communities in participatory problem solving. Global Health critically examines representations that frame international health discourse. It also addresses the politics of what is possible in a world compelled to work together to face emerging and re-emerging diseases, the control of health threats associated with political ecology and defective modernization, and the rise of new assemblages of people who share a sense of biosociality. The book proposes research priorities for a new program of health social science research. Nichter calls for greater involvement by social scientists in studies of global health and emphasizes how medical anthropologists in particular can better involve themselves as scholar activists.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2008

Reviews

[Filipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book debating what social science and anthropology have enlightened and presented to public discussion. I think it is a great starting point if you're considering global health from an anthropological perspective, presenting you with useful informations about how cultural perceptions and social representations have been shaping this area of studies and the field work.
I particularly recommend it as an introduction to different debates and questions framing social science contributions to global health, a guide that will probably help you to identify issues and authors worth looking into.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Nichter makes insightful analyses of social science contributions to global health issues and raises thought-provoking questions. It's an excellent overview of contemporary global health work and points clearly to areas ripe for future research.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nichter presents some very relevant rhetorical questions to researchers in public health and health social science. I found Part 1 to be more appealing to me, having an anthropology background. Part 2 may be of more appeal to those in the public health sector. Overall, I think this is an important read!

[Hana "Nara"]

Since when do I care about the field of Medicine? Since I found out that Medicine is not devoid of sexism, racism, and commercialism. I naively believed they had ONE job.

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