international / global health policy Flashcards
what is global health policy?
impacts the health and well being of individuals and peoples throughout the world.
many determinants of health operate at a global level, and many national policies, social practices, and individual health behaviors are structured by global forces
how could people classify global health?
content accounts of global health:
geographical accounts of global health
normative accounts of global health
when classifying global health issues, what is meant by content accounts?
defines global health in terms of the issues global actors/institutions typically address
what sorts of health issues do existing global health institutions (e.g., WHO, MSF) engage with/address?
the relevant content is specified by convention
‘Courses of action or inaction to address health issues that are commonly under the purview of existing global institutions or actors.’
In scope: access to primary health care in rural India
Out of scope: access to primary health care in London, Ontario
when classifying global health issues, what is meant by geographical accounts?
defines global health spatially/geographically
focuses on issues that spatially impact the world (e.g., climate change or pandemics, etc.)
focuses on issues that may only be solved by worldwide intervention and collaboration (e.g., infectious disease control, global tobacco control, etc.)
‘Courses of action or inaction to address health issues that span or fall outside of national boundaries or that require global solutions.’
In scope: infectious disease pandemics
Out of scope: the state of Indigenous people’s health in Canada
when classifying global health issues, what is meant by normative accounts?
defines global health in ethical terms, i.e., what health issues ‘global health’ ought to focus on
focuses on health issues that are considered to be ethically problematic, worthy of everyone’s moral attention
the scope of global health is specified by ethical arguments regarding existing and historical wrongs characteristic of global trade, structural global inequalities, inequalities in global power, etc.
‘Courses of action or inaction to address health issues that are
considered to be worthy of everyone’s moral attention.’
In scope: the state of Indigenous people’s health in Canada
Out of scope: ???
who makes global health policies?
each country’s policies contribute to ‘global health policy’ (recall the US ‘global gag rule’) but are/how are they coordinated to promote/influence global health?
international organizations, e.g., World Health Organization, develop or inform health policy
international organizations affect global health via funding policies and coordination efforts
what is GAVI?
(Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization)
An international organisation that brings together public and private sectors to create equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.
what is the World Bank?
An international financial institution that provides financial and technical assistance (e.g., loans) to countries around the world to fight poverty.
“The World Bank Group is committed to helping governments achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, which has the potential to transform the health and well-being of individuals and societies.”
what does the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation do?
Aims to enhance health care and reduce extreme poverty globally through targeted funding initiatives
what does the WHO do?
the WHO develops and promotes the use of evidence, tools, norms, and standards to support member states to inform health policy options.
sponsor organizations and countries can dictate where their donated money is spent. the countries can also vote for the other money
what are some examples of global health policy?
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
International Health Regulations
Pandemic treaty
describe the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003)
it is a treaty, an agreement under international law
Legally binding in 181 WHO
member states, which
requires, e.g.:
Measures to protect people
from exposure to tobacco
smoke
Regulation of the contents of
tobacco products
Regulation of packaging and
labelling of tobacco products
Regulation of sales to and by
minors
describe the international health regulations
an international legal instrument
that is binding on 196 countries
across the globe, including all the
Member States of WHO. Their aim is
to help the international community
prevent and respond to acute public
health risks that have the potential to
cross borders and threaten people
worldwide
“Giving effect to the IHR within domestic jurisdiction and national law requires that the relevant authorities adopt implementing legislation for some or all of the relevant rights and obligations for States Parties.”
“…the IHR (2005) do not include an enforcement mechanism per se…” violating the IHR doesn’t not have a penalty
“The consequences of non-compliance may include a tarnished international image, increased morbidity/mortality of affected populations, unilateral travel and trade restrictions, economic and
social disruption and public outrage.”
the IHR was believed to be insufficient with some global health issues, such as the pandemic. many countries and organizations failed to follow
what is the pandemic treaty?
this treaty is in the process of being made to help with response to future pandemics
At the core of [the] proposal is everything that global health advocates have wished for: a forceful WHO-like global entity with the capacity to coordinate recalcitrant governments, launch large-scale operations, enforce international rules by providing incentives and penalties, frankly assess the adequacy of national health systems, and provide technical advice free from the vagaries of scientific uncertainty.
has been opposed by some countries as they are afraid it will be binding - however, this treaty isn’t actually binding
what led to the creation of UN and WHO?
WWII led to creation of United Nations and World Health Organization
