Medical Anthropology Winter 2016 Final Exam Questions

Callie Rogers 3/15/16 ANTH 162: Introduction to Medical Anthropology Winter 2016: Final Exam Questions 1) What is the relationship between social exclusion and physical or mental health? †¨ Many risk factors, including proximal and distal factors, can influence an individuals health. However, proximate causes of disease, which include factors such as diet and exercise. Link and Phelan’s article, Social Condition as Fundamental Causes of Disease, points out that, â€Å"Social factors, which tend to be more distal causes of disease, have received far less attention.† Although, both proemial and distal causes of disease have the ability to greatly impact an individuals physical and mental health, focus is primarily placed on proximal causes since the concept of social exclusion is typically viewed as inevitable or out of the individuals control. The stress of social exclusion and lack of social support has been shown to be greatly associated with physical and mental health issues, as is explained by Link and Phelan. Another example of social exclusion leading to phys ical and mental health deterioration was the story of Gusti, in the Bird Dancer documentary. The social exclusion Gusti faced as a result of her illness, negatively impacted her life as well as her condition and mental health. Link, Bruce G. Jo Phelan.1995. â€Å"Social Conditions as Fundamental Causes of Disease.† Journal of Health and Social Behavior 35:80-94. Robert Lemelson’s, The Bird Dancer, 38 mins.