Affliction: Health, Disease, Poverty

"Affliction: Health, Disease, Poverty" by Veena Das offers a groundbreaking perspective on the interplay between health, disease, and socioeconomic conditions. This work diverges from traditional medical anthropology by shifting its focus from the clinical interactions between patients and healthcare providers to the broader networks that shape the experience of illness.

Das explores how health trajectories are significantly influenced by the matrices of social relations, institutional structures, and bodies of knowledge, particularly in contexts of poverty. By examining how illness is dispersed across various socio-economic landscapes, Das reveals the complex layers of suffering and survival that define human conditions under duress. This book not only challenges conventional approaches to health and medicine but also provides a deep understanding of illness experience through the lens of those most affected by poverty.

"Affliction" is a critical read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in the social determinants of health and the implications of poverty on disease management and outcomes. Veena Das’s insightful analysis invites readers to reconsider how health policies and interventions are formulated and implemented, advocating for a more holistic and context-sensitive approach.