2017 GH Sesi 1 YM International Political Economy of Global Health 1

Global Health

Global Health*
• an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on
improving health and achieving equity in health for all people
worldwide.
• emphasises transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions;
• involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and
promotes interdisciplinary collaboration;
• is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level
clinical care.

*Consortium of Universities for Global Health Executive Board, 2009

What do we mean by global health?
an area for study, research, and practice that places a
priority on improving health and achieving health equity
for all people worldwide
Koplan et al (2009)

health issues that transcend national boundaries and

governments and call for actions on the global forces
that determine the health of people
Kickbush (2006)

collaborative international research and action for
promoting health for all
Beaglehole & Bonita (2010)

worldwide improvement of health, reduction
of disparities, and protection against global threats that
disregard national borders
MacFarlane et al (2008)

Global health in perspective*

*Kopla , J.P., T.C. Bo d, a d M.H. Merso et al.
Health: New Field or New Na e? Lancet, in press.

. A Defi itio of Glo al


Learning objectives
• Be cognizant of the linkages between local & global health
problems.
• Bring a global perspective to key health problems
• Understand the mandates, roles and approaches of key global
health actors.
• Understand the political economy of global health issues.

International political economy of health

Quarantine: the birth of global health policy

The black death

Slave trade

The birth of tropical medicine

International Sanitary
Conferences


L’Offi e Internationale
d’Hygie e Publique (OIHP)

The League of Nations Health
Organization

The Pasteur institute

The Rockefeller Foundation

Office of Malaria control in war areas
1942-1945

The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
(1946)

WHO Constitution (1946)
The attainment by all peoples of
the highest possible level of health

…Health is a state of o plete physi al, e tal a d so ial well
ei g a d ot erely the a se e of diseases or i fir ity

The 1st World Health Assembly (1948)
WHO functions:
1. Direction and coordination of international health work
2. Normative functions
3. Research and technical cooperation

United Nations International Children Fund –
UNICEF (1946)

The cold war effect: 1949-1956

Global malaria eradication:
1955-1978

Malaria eradication commando: 1959

Small Pox Eradication: 1959


United Nations Population Fund –
UNFPA : 1967

Alma Ata Conference (1978)

Health for all in the year 2000

The attainment by all peoples by the
year 2000 of a level of health that will
permit them to lead a socially and
economically productive life.

Primary health care is the key to
attaining this goal.

Selective vs comprehensive primary
health care

World Health Assembly voted to freeze

WHO’s udget

U“ withhold o tri utio to WHO’s
regular budget (1985)

WHO Essential Drug Program
(WHA 31.32)

International Code on
Breast Milk Substitutes
(WHA 34.22)

The Washington Consensus
• Privatization
• Reducing public expenditure
• Trade liberalization

The growing role of the World Bank