Health Equity in a Globalizing Era Past Challenges, Future Prospects

Why do some countries and populations suffer from poverty and ill health, whilst others are more prosperous and healthy? What are the inherently global (trans-border) issues that affect inequities in disease burden and health opportunities for individuals and nations? Traditionally, the focus of global health has been 'international health': the concern for high burdens of disease in generally low-income countries. To answer these questions however, we need to modernise our understanding of globalization as a phenomenon. Health Equity in a Globalizing Era: Past Challenges, Future Prospects examines how globalization processes since the on-set of neoliberalism affect equity in global health outcomes, and emphasises access to important social determinants of health. With a basis in political economy, the book covers key globalization concepts and theory, and presents a thorough background to the field. Case studies, illustrations, and new research all combine to make this title a comprehensive and current discussion of the various pathways that connect globalization to health equity outcomes. It looks at changes in migration, labour markets, trade and investment rules, international development assistance, health systems, infectious and non-communicable disease risks, environmental health, and gendered aspects of globalization's health dialectic. In addition, it argues for a reform of the global governance structure, the significant role of human rights, and the importance of a strong civil society in achieving greater social justice in health. Ideal for senior undergraduate and graduate students in global health programs, global health scholars and practitioners in government policy and health/development NGOs, Health Equity in a Globalizing Era: Past Challenges, Future Prospects is a significant contribution to our new understanding of globalization and global public health.

Ronald Labonté is Distinguished Research Chair and former Canada Research Chair in Globalization and Health Equity and Professor in the School of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Ottawa. He is active with the People's Health Movement, and has consulted extensively with UN agencies, governments and civil society organizations. Arne Ruckert is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Ottawa's School of Epidemiology and Public Health, working on health equity issues in the Globalization and Health Equity research unit. He has worked as a policy consultant for various development organizations (including the North-South Institute, CCIC, the Halifax Initiative), international organizations (WHO), and the Canadian government (Health Canada).