Povolny series lecture examines China’s role in public health

China’s leadership role in public health and community health practices will be the focus of the second installment of Lawrence University’s 2015-16 Povolny Lecture Series in International Studies “Community Health: Local and Global.”

Suzanne Gottschang_newsblog
Medical anthropologist Suzanne Gottschang

Suzanne Gottschang, associate professor of anthropology at Smith College, presents “Community Health: What Can We Learn from China?” Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Lawrence’s Wriston Art Center auditorium. The presentation is free and open to the public.

A medical anthropologist, Gottschang will examine how historical and contemporary efforts in community health programs in China, such as  schistosomiasis eradication, development of the barefoot doctors program or the current campaign to address maternal mortality, can inform global health concerns and policy in other areas of the world.

Gottschang, whose research focuses on risk and health policy, mobile and e-medicine in China and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, contributed a chapter on baby friendly Chinese hospitals obligated to promote breast-feeding by new mothers, offer promotional material and “educational” visits by sales representatives from companies that make infant formula to the 2000 book ”Feeding China’s Little Emperors: Food, Children and Social Change.”

The lecture series, named in honor of former Lawrence government professor Mojmir Povolny, promotes interest and discussion on issues of moral significance and ethical dimensions.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.