Biomedical anthropology: An emerging synthesis in anthropology

Biomedical anthropology is a newly emerging focus within anthropology, combining concepts of physical anthropology and medical anthropology in the study of disease and health among human populations. It grows out of the tradition in anthropology of holism and related attempts to develop biocultural approaches to anthropological issues. While these issues have been studied by physical and cultural anthropologists working independently of each other, the synthesis of the two areas can provide a clearer understanding of the role of disease and responses to it among human groups.