Paper short abstract:

Anthropologists have grounded knowledge of total contexts. Too often their warning work is ignored by medical authorities because ‘not evidence based’. Anthropologists’ examples from Africa and the UK offer alternative possibilities achieving healthy medical impact or significant potential.

Paper long abstract:

Anthropologists have detailed, grounded knowledge of the total context of a group or people, ideally through time. Too often their work remains as warnings ignored by medical authorities because allegedly 'not evidence based'. Anthropology's holistic cultural context is not seen to be linked to 'rational' medical practices. By contrast, anthropologists' examples offer a range of possibilities: some achieving impact, others with continuing significant potential.

Louise de la Gorgendiere, completing fieldwork in Ghana, used her bureaucratic skills to facilitate the provision of a well, saving the residents from the deadly bilharzia. In recognition, the Asanti honoured her as 'Queen Mother'.

In the UK, the anthropologist challenged the unethical practice of a Medical School project. Breast-feeding African mothers were used, without their knowledge, as objects in a government funded, HIV experiment. The anthropologist's intervention ensured its cancellation.

In Zambia, Tony Simpson, after years of trust among former students, problematised heterosexual masculinity ideals and practices risking Aids. Such research retains potential beyond the locality.

Okely explored Gypsies' and Travellers' alternative pollution beliefs and mortuary rites which, in some cases, have been recognised by medical professionals. Nevertheless, these have also recently been dismissed as 'irrelevant' because 'mere culture' by an established university nursing department.

Finally, the contrast between semi nomadic Gypsies and their enforced, scattered settlement has brought isolation and extreme depression- treated in the short term by repeat medical prescriptions. By contrast, anthropological grounded knowledge could offer an alternative policy to this ever-costly NHS budget, by facilitating ethnic coexistence and renewed wellbeing.