Final answer:
Medical anthropology is a college-level subject focused on the comparative study of cultures with an emphasis on health. It leverages cultural relativism and employs ethnography to understand diverse health practices, engaging in cross-cultural comparisons to explore the cultural diversity and its impact on health systems globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The learned branch of nursing mentioned in the question refers to the field of medical anthropology, a branch of anthropology that applies the principles of the field to the comparative study and analysis of cultures, with a focus on health-related issues. Medical anthropology encompasses various aspects, such as the cultural relativism in the study of human health, and employs ethnographic research methods to better comprehend health systems and practices across different cultures.
The field also examines the impact of cultural diversity on health outcomes within our own society and globally. By exploring other cultures, we gain a deeper understanding of our own, identifying the ways in which socio-cultural, political-economic, and historical considerations shape health behaviors and systems. Moreover, the cultural systems model is a key theoretical framework within medical anthropology, facilitating cross-cultural comparisons of health systems and outcomes.
Aspects such as healthcare beliefs, dietary choices, and lifestyle risk factors are greatly influenced by cultural and socio-economic factors, which are crucial in understanding a society's health practices and preferences. Ultimately, medical anthropology aims to increase objectivity and subjectivity in health studies, striving for a comprehensive and empathetic understanding of global health diversity.