Chapter 3 Biology And Culture: Economic And Health

Chapter 3 Biology And Culture Section 31 Economic And Health Costs

Begin with an introductory paragraph that has a thesis statement at the end. The introduction should set up your topic, giving a preview and summary of the analysis you will present in the body of the paper. The thesis statement is the last sentence or two of the introduction and states what the main point structuring your paper will be.

Explain the scope of your paper and set up the topics you will cover. Everything covered in your paper should relate back to the introduction and thesis statement. Draw from what you learned while identifying thesis statements in the Week Two Locating Scholarly Resources assignment to help you craft your own thesis statement. Review your instructor’s feedback on your thesis statement from your Week Three Summarize Your Sources for the Final Research Paper assignment. View Accessing Feedback in the Gradebook to see how to review your instructor’s feedback.

See resources from the Ashford Writing Center on Moving from Prompt to Thesis--How to Turn a Prompt Into a Thesis Statement and Introductions and Conclusions. Part I Using the article by Miner (1956) and the feedback you received from your instructor on your worksheet in Week Three, describe one aspect of your own culture from an etic perspective. See the appropriate Sections in the Textbook in the List of Topics, based on your chosen topic from Week Three, for information on how to approach your paper from an anthropological perspective. You can describe American culture in general, as Miner does, or you can describe an American subculture, such as a specific geographical group (e.g., New Yorkers), a particular ethnicity (e.g., African Americans), or an age-related category of Americans (e.g., millennials).

Use reputable statistics and/or scholarly research to support any factual statements. Do not rely solely on personal experience or opinion. Here is an Example of Part I Helpful Tips:

  • This section should be two- to two-and-a-half pages long.
  • Demonstrate a culturally relativistic perspective throughout this section. Do not use opinionated or judgmental language.
  • Use the article by Miner to guide your own description. How would an anthropologist describe the topic you have chosen?
  • Use reliable sources to support your analysis.
  • Review the ANT101: Evaluating Sources tutorial from the Ashford Library.
  • Review the In-Text Citation Guide. Use in-text citations every time you include information learned from a source.

Part II Refer to the article you chose for Part II of the worksheet assignment in Week Three and describe an aspect of another culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective. You do not have to do research beyond reading your chosen article; however, if you choose to conduct additional research, make sure to use reputable statistics and/or scholarly sources to support factual statements. Do not rely upon personal experience or opinion. Helpful Tips:

  • This section should be two- to two-and-a-half pages in length.
  • Use what you learned in “Locating Scholarly Sources” from Week Two to find your source in the Ashford University Library.
  • Balance your discussion evenly between Parts I and II; do not let one overshadow the other.
  • Maintain a culturally relativistic perspective, avoiding judgmental language.
  • Use the article you have chosen to guide your description. How would an anthropologist describe the topic?
  • Review the In-Text Citation Guide. Use in-text citations for information from sources.

Conclusion

End with a concluding paragraph that reinforces your thesis. Summarize and tie together your main points for the reader. Provide a brief self-reflexive analysis of what you learned while writing this paper. Helpful Tips:

  • Review Introductions and Conclusions. The conclusion should relate back to your introduction and thesis. Reiterate the main points.
  • Incorporate some self-reflexive insights from your Week Four journal entry.

The final research paper must be five to six double-spaced pages long (excluding title and references pages). It should be formatted according to APA style, including a title page with the following information:

  • Title of the paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted

The paper must include well-structured body paragraphs with clear transitions, use scholarly in-text citations, and demonstrate a cultural relativistic perspective throughout. You must describe an aspect of your own culture from an etic perspective (Part I) and an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective (Part II). The references page must include at least one scholarly resource besides the textbook, Miner’s article, and the article from Week Three original sources. All sources must be documented in APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

The pervasive influence of culture on health and economic outcomes is a significant subject within anthropological discourse, particularly when examining the impacts of systemic issues like racism. This paper explores the economic and health costs of racism, drawing insights from scholarly research and anthropological perspectives. Through analyzing personal and cultural narratives, along with empirical data, the paper underscores how racism sustains disparities, affects community well-being, and imposes economic burdens. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of cultural relativism in understanding these phenomena while advocating for culturally sensitive interventions.

Introduction

Racism is not merely a social ill marked by prejudice and discrimination; it is a complex phenomenon with profound economic and health implications. The systemic nature of racism within societies engenders disparities that persist across generations, affecting access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and social mobility. These disparities contribute to a significant economic burden, including increased healthcare costs and lost productivity, while also adversely affecting mental and physical health. This essay examines the multifaceted costs of racism, emphasizing how cultural and societal structures perpetuate these issues. The analysis leverages scholarly research, including Miner’s (1956) concept of cultural relativism, to interpret how different cultural perspectives influence the understanding and mitigation of these costs. The overarching thesis posits that addressing the economic and health costs of racism requires a culturally informed approach that promotes equality and equity.

Economic and Health Costs of Racism

The economic costs of racism are extensive, ranging from increased healthcare expenditure to loss of productivity in the workforce. According to the CDC (2019), African Americans and other marginalized groups experience higher rates of chronic disease, which are linked to social determinants rooted in racism, such as limited access to quality healthcare, unhealthy living conditions, and chronic stress. These health disparities translate into higher medical costs, including hospitalizations and long-term treatments, which strain health systems and divert resources from other public health priorities. Furthermore, racial discrimination leads to reduced employment opportunities for minority groups, contributing to higher unemployment rates and lower income levels, which further diminish their access to nutritious food, safe housing, and healthcare (Williams et al., 2019).

Research indicates that the mental health effects of racism are equally significant, with increased incidences of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among marginalized populations (Williams et al., 2018). These psychological effects further exacerbate physical health problems, creating a cycle of deteriorating well-being that is costly both personally and societally. From an economic perspective, these health burdens result in decreased productivity due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and disability, impacting national economies (Benach et al., 2017). The cumulative financial impact of these issues is substantial, with estimates suggesting that racial health disparities cost billions annually in healthcare expenses and lost economic output (Commission on Social Determinants of Health, 2008).

Beyond health and economic metrics, racism also enforces social stratification that limits wealth accumulation among minority groups. Studies show that systemic barriers to education and employment reinforce racial inequalities, ultimately constraining socioeconomic mobility (Pager & Shepherd, 2008). This persistent economic marginalization feeds back into health disparities, creating a vicious cycle fueled by cultural biases and structural inequities.

Understanding the cultural underpinnings of racism through an anthropological lens underscores the importance of cultural relativism, a perspective championed by Miner (1956). Rather than judging cultural differences through a biased lens, anthropologists seek to comprehend behaviors and societal structures within their specific cultural context. This approach can facilitate empathy and inform policies aimed at reducing the costs of racism by fostering culturally sensitive interventions that respect diversity and promote social cohesion.

Implications and Solutions

Addressing the economic and health costs associated with racism necessitates multifaceted strategies rooted in cultural understanding. Public health initiatives must account for cultural barriers that impede minority participation in healthcare programs and include community engagement to build trust. Education campaigns can challenge stereotypes and biases, fostering greater social awareness and empathy. Additionally, policy reforms aimed at reducing systemic inequities, such as fair employment practices, improved access to quality healthcare, and equitable education, are essential for mitigating these costs (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014).

Furthermore, incorporating cultural relativism into policy-making can enhance effectiveness, as interventions tailored to community-specific needs are more likely to succeed. For example, culturally adapted health education programs that respect linguistic diversity and cultural practices have shown promising results in reducing health disparities (Resnicow et al., 2010). Community-based participatory research is also critical in designing solutions that are ethically sound and culturally acceptable, ensuring sustainable improvements.

Conclusion

The economic and health costs of racism are vast, intricately linked to societal structures, cultural values, and systemic discrimination. Combating these costs requires a culturally informed approach, emphasizing empathy, respect, and culturally tailored interventions. As Miner (1956) highlights, understanding cultural differences through an anthropological perspective fosters more effective and humane solutions. Ultimately, reducing the societal burden of racism is essential not only for social justice but also for economic stability and public health. By fostering cultural understanding and addressing systemic inequities, societies can move toward a more equitable future, where health and economic opportunities are accessible to all.

References

  • Benach, J., et al. (2017). The health impacts of employment conditions: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 43(2), 125-136.
  • Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(Suppl 2), 19–31.
  • CDC. (2019). Health disparities and inequalities report — United States, 2019. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(3), 1–32.
  • Miner, H. (1956). Body Ritual among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist, 58(3), 503-507.
  • Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The sociology of discrimination: Racial discrimination in employment, housing, and the market. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 181-209.
  • Resnicow, K., et al. (2010). Cultural sensitivity in health promotion: It’s more than just language. Health Education & Behavior, 37(4), 508-516.
  • Williams, D. R., et al. (2018). Racial discrimination and health: Evidence and needed research. Annual Review of Public Health, 39, 19-34.
  • Williams, D. R., et al. (2019). Racial/ethnic disparities in health: Recent trends and future directions. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 44(4), 635–648.
  • Additional scholarly sources may include comprehensive reviews of racial health disparities, economic analyses of systemic discrimination, and anthropological studies emphasizing cultural relativism and systemic change.

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