Unhealthy Health Policy

Reveals the social inequalities that often represent significant threats to the health and well being of the poor, ethnic minorities, and women. This book defines an anthropology of policy concerned with decision-making and the impact of health policy on human lives. It is of interest to researchers and practitioners in medical anthropology. This new collection turns a critical anthropological eye on the nature of health policy internationally. The authors reveal that in light of prevailing social inequalities, health policies may intend to protect public health, but in fact they often represent significant structural threats to the health and well being of the poor, ethnic minorities, women, and other subordinate groups. The volume focuses on the 'anthropology of policy,' which is concerned with the process of decision-making, the influences on decision-makers, and the impact of policy on human lives. This collaboration will be a critical resource for researchers and practitioners in medical anthropology, applied anthropology, medical sociology, minority issues, public policy, and health care issues.