Medical Anthropology in Heidelberg

The current health problems of South Asia are diverse. On the one hand, "old" diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and reproductive problems continue to plague much of the population, just as they have done for generations. On the other hand the new "lifestyle diseases" like diabetes, adipositas, and heart and coronary diseases present novel challenges for the health of South Asians. Public Health professionals and development agencies are concerned to make effective interventions to address these problems, and we are convinced that the safest and most effective solutions will be those which take the historical and cultural context of South Asia into account. That is one of the reasons we have developed this course.

However, Health and Society in South Asia is not only about diseases. We are also interested in traditions of health-promotion such as yoga and meditation; in South Asian theories and practices regarding the body, food and diet, and psychological well-being; in the way that South Asians incorporate new health technologies into their culture; and in many other topics as well.

We offer a variety of lectures and seminars. The Medical Anthropology Forum meets every fortnight for lectures and presentations of colleagues, guests, and students. Well-known experts who have spoken here include Thomas Csordas, Elisabeth Hsu, Mark Nichter, and Allan Young. But we also encourage younger scholars to present their work in progress in this seminar series, with the intention of creating a lively and stimulating learning environment.