An anthropology of structural violence

Abstract

This article examines the intricate relationships between poverty, social injustice, and health disparities, particularly focusing on Haiti as a case study. Farmer elucidates how structural violence—systemic ways in which social structures harm or disadvantage individuals—manifests in healthcare, perpetuating cycles of poverty and illness. He discusses the historical and economic factors contributing to Haiti's chronic impoverishment, emphasizing how international policies and economic exploitation exacerbate local suffering. Through ethnographic narratives, such as the story of Anite, a woman suffering from metastatic breast cancer, the article highlights the dire consequences of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and the lack of access to medical treatment. It argues that understanding and addressing the root causes of structural violence are essential for improving health outcomes and ensuring human rights for marginalized populations. The article ultimately calls for a more equitable global health system that prioritizes the needs of the poor and vulnerable.