Sienna Craig talks health in Mustang, Nepal

GlobeMed hosted anthropology professor Sienna Craig for a fascinating talk about her global health work in Mustang, Nepal. After falling in love with the country on an undergraduate study abroad program in 1993, Professor Craig has continued researching with local people in Nepal. She gave us an in depth look at her study of fertility in high altitude areas with low oxygen levels, providing an insight into natural selection in a subset of the human population and the role genes can play in environmental adaptation and human health.

Courtesy of siennacraig.co

In addition to the medical aspects of her research, Professor Craig discussed the complex social factors that impact societal health. In Nepal, for example, it is becoming more of a norm for the younger generation to leave in search of new opportunities. While they are able to send money back to their families in Nepal, they are unable to be physically present for their community. Norms within the Nepalese community Professor Craig studies are also shifting, with some women pursuing an education and marrying later. Professor Craig and her colleagues worked with many local, female research assistants to conduct her study. GlobeMed extends a warm welcome to Professor Craig for taking the time out of her schedule to speak with us and open our minds to another compelling case of global health’s intersection with societal and environmental factors.