Photo: © University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
The answer to this question may not be that easy. At least it is not always easy for me. Jeffrey P. Koplan, Director of the Emory Global Health Institute and Vice President for Global Health at Emory University, defines global health as "an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving health equity for all people world-wide". This definition is strongly related to human development. Actually, the main aim is to enable healthcare for everyone: the people living in developed countries, but specially those living in low and middle income countries.
During the last few years, the term "global health" began to replace the old one: "international health". We live in a globalized world and it makes sense to provide a wider and more adequate definition that assembles the strategies and interventions regarding health improvement. The role of the World Health Organization is still very important, but changes have happened. What has changed? To make it short: the international political context. It has changed a lot and it is changing everyday. The NGOs and other inter-governmental organizations play nowadays an increasing role in global health. "Collaboration" is the key-word we can apply today to the new context: collective efforts from all institutions are crucial to promote better health for all. This is the big concern: the health of populations in a global context, transcending national boundaries and involving trans-national work with national public health institutions.
read more: The World Health Organization and the transition "International" to "Global" Public Health
read more: What is global health?
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