Global Health Strategy

De: Equity, Health & Human Development [mailto:EQUIDAD@LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG]
Em nome de Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC)
Enviada em: segunda-feira, 9 de abril de 2007 10:45Para: EQUIDAD@LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG
Assunto: [EQ] Health is global
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_072697
“…This report provides the rationale for a UK global health strategy. A coherent strategic framework is essential if the UK is to maximise its impact on global health. The report outlines the need for an international approach if we are to protect the health of the UK population, reduce global poverty and harness the opportunities of globalisation….”
“….Globalisation has intensified human interaction, bringing countries closer together and making national borders more porous. The barriers of time and geography that traditionally separated people and nations have been reduced, leading to an intensifi cation of international trade, travel and communications. These trends are not new but their increase could affect the health of everyone, everywhere. Poverty and ill health in one country threatens the prosperity and wellbeing of populations in all countries. People everywhere have a right to the highest attainable standard of health. Protecting and promoting health is a duty of our global citizenship.

Chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, mental ill health, and alcohol- and tobacco-related illness – once deemed the preserve of industrialised nations – are
now worldwide problems. The dramatic increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in some countries, and the emergence of avian influenza in Asia, could pose major threats to the health of the UK population. It may be a cliché, but it is true that infectious diseases do not respect borders. Just as diseases cross borders, so can narcotics, unhealthy lifestyles and chemical and biological pollutants.

Global health issues are complex, interdependent and, more often than not, influenced by actions or circumstances in countries other than those directly affected. The determinants of global health include poverty, conflict, violence, climate change and environmental degradation, illegal drug trafficking and the effects of international trade. These are cross-border problems. Solutions require cooperative action.
However, globalisation also provides immense opportunities for improving global health. Opportunities for developing and sharing knowledge and research are unprecedented. There is now a large number of public–private partnerships dedicated to global health issues – with more resources available than ever before….”PDF file 64p.


CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION looks at the objectives of a global health strategy
2. GLOBAL HEALTH TODAY provides a brief overview of the current state of the world’s health. It looks at the burden of communicable and non-communicable disease. It also describes key determinants of health, focusing in particular on climate change, health inequalities and inequity both within and between countries. Chapter 2 also highlights the importance of health systems and research.

3. GLOBALISATION AND HEALTH
examines the implications of globalisation on human health. The chapter concludes that trade and investment, travel, migration and communication all have positive and negative effects on human health.

4. WHY TAKE ACTION ON GLOBAL HEALTH? explains why we need to take action on global health. The report gives five reasons why it is important for the UK to engage with the global health agenda:
- It is necessary for making our world more secure, protecting the health of the UK population and contributing to safeguarding our domestic investment in health and
the economy.
- It is central to our efforts on sustainable development.
- Health is a valuable commodity to trade in.
- Health is a global public good.
- Health is a human right.
A key challenge for the strategy will be to navigate an economically and ethically acceptable path through these diverse and sometimes conflicting areas
5. IDENTIFYING AREAS FOR ACTION
provides a framework for taking the strategy forward. The range and extent of global health problems is such that we need to prioritise areas for action and ensure the most effective use of our available resources. As a starting point, Chapter 5 identifies four broad areas:
- health and foreign policy
- health and development
- health and the UK economy
- global threats to UK health

6. WORKING TOGETHER describes how government needs to work with domestic and international partners. It is essential that the government provides an environment that enables those with the right skills to work on global issues.
ANNEXES
Annex A: Millennium Development Goals and Targets, with examples of potential DH/NHS contributions
Annex B: The Code of Practice governing NHS recruitment of international health professionals
Annex C: Selected examples of commitments made in Eliminating World Poverty: Making Governance Work for the Poor that have the potential to improve global health
References