Health Governance

Extending Social Security to Developing Countries

The paper presents a very good literature review which through the prism of access to healthcare, seeks to explore some of the reasons for the shortcomings in the current cover of social security. At the same time the paper considers the existing options to extend healthcare provisions and the role that trade unions could play in extending healthcare.

The WTO and the General Agreement on Trade and Services: What is it at Stake for Public Health?, PSI and EI

A very interesting paper explores some of the main challenges to the health workers and health trade unions posed as the result of the WTO negotiations on trade and services. It elaborates also on the ways how different international institutions - though not related directly to health - have influenced the health politics.

Geneva Forum - Towards Global Access to Health

This is an online news service, which purpose is to serve as a news and information source for the Geneva Forum for conference participants, organizations involved in access to health, the media and the public at large. It offers information and research in the areas of: access to health systems; health and inequities; access to drugs, vaccines and diagnoses; civil society and social issues in health; capacity building and partnership.

Globalisation and Health Journal

Globalization has enormous implications in terms of health care systems and decision-making processes and is represented by an increasing number of scientific publications on the topic. The journal provides a platform for research, knowledge sharing and debate on the topic of globalization and its effects on health, both positive and negative.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

The work of the department aims at providing policy advice, undertaking research and carrying out technical cooperation activities in different countries. An important part of policy development around the agenda of decent work is the social health protection area. Social protection in health is seen as a key instrument to address poverty, income security and access to health services.

The Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health

The Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH) brings a public health voice to the debate on trade and sustainable development. It conducts research, policy analysis and advocacy in the interest of protecting and improving the health of individuals, communities and populations; expanding access to health-related services; and advancing global economic policies that are democratic, sustainable, and socially just. This website provides resources on the links between the global economy and public health priorities.

Action on Global Health: Addressing Global Health Governance Challenges, Kickbusch, Ilona (2005)

The paper makes an argument for an essential change in the health governance debate, starting from a change in perspective, from disease-based approach to health as global public good. It does so exploring the role that different entities and a change in health politics can have to make possible this change.

Seven deadly Sins: Reflections on Donor Failings, Birdsall N. (2004)

The paper brings up an important analysis of the aid business in the developing countries and points out some of the main problems with the actual architecture of the aid business. It also points out suggestion to address the problems and the limitations on the international aid.

The World Situation and WHO, Navarro, V. in The Lancet. Vol. 363, April 17, 2004

It is a good paper highlighting the influences of the International financial institutions on the health politics and corollary some of the main controversies in the WHO work and the consequences it has in the health discourse. It also makes an attempt to elaborate on some of the possible solutions to these controversies.

Influence and Opportunity: Reflections on the US Role in Global Public Health, Kickbusch. Ilona (2002)

The article attempts to surface an interesting debate, attributing part of the problems in the health governance to the lack of a larger leader. It does so, proposing areas for change or intervention for US if it is to play that role, but which could very much be relevant for any other player.

Constructing Global Public Health in the 21st Century

Constructing global public health in the 21st century, Kickbusch, Ilona and Payne, Lea (2004) Meeting on Global Health Governance and Accountability 2-3 June 2004 Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

How Have Global Health Initiatives Impacted on Health Equity?

Johanna Hanefeld, 2008. The review focuses on three GHIs, the US President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the World Bank's Multi-country AIDS Programme (MAP) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The paper argues that GHIs have so far paid insufficient attention to health inequities. While increasingly acknowledging equity, including gender equity, as a concern, Initiatives have so far failed to adequately translate this into programmes that address drivers of health inequity, including gender inequities.

Making WHO Work Better: An Advocacy Agenda for Civil Society

The Global Health Watch, 2006. This document is intended to promote a discussion amongst civil society and the NGO community on the need for a strategy to strengthen the role, authority, capacity and accountability of WHO to improve global health and health equity.

Wrong questions: wrong answers The global 'health reform' agenda

The article argues that contrary to what the advocates of market-driven reforms may claim, there is no evidence from recent experience, either in the wealthiest or the poorest countries, that greater reliance upon the private sector and competition reduces costs, enhances efficiency, or does anything but widen inequalities in access for the poor.