Global Politics of Health
1. Edition December 2009
224 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
International responses to the outbreak of SARS, the spread of
HIV/AIDS, and the promotion of health as a human right all
demonstrate how global politics have a profound effect on the way
we think about and respond to major health challenges. Despite a
growing interest in the relationship between health and
international relations there has yet to be a systematic study of
the links between them. Global Health Issues aims to fill
this gap - ultimately showing how world politics can be good,
or bad, for your health.
This book calls for a more nuanced understanding of the nature
of the current global health crisis and the political dilemmas
faced by those responsible for the development and implementation
of responses to it. By charting these debates and showing how they
shape the way actors think about key issues relating to health,
such as people movement; infectious disease; the business of
health; and the consequences of war; this volume provides an
innovative and comprehensive introduction to health and
international relations for students of global politics, health
studies and related disciplines.
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Chapter One: Contribution of International Relations to the evolving international health agenda
Chapter Two: Global Health Actors
Chapter Three: Health as a Human Right
Chapter Four: Cross Border Migration
Chapter Five: Armed Conflict and Health
Chapter Six: Infectious Disease
Chapter Seven: Health as a Business
Conclusion
References
International Affairs
"[Davies] draws skilfully on a variety of literatures ... to map the political dimensions of global public health, and pinpoints precisely the disquieting conclusions that result from such an exercise."
Network
"Davies' text is particularly useful in providing a critique of recent efforts to incorporate health within the traditional logics of the field."
Cambridge Review of International Affairs
"A well researched, well written and enjoyable book on global health that covers a vast array of topics without ever being too technical."
Dr M. Edelstein, Royal Society of Medicine
"Health is now a political issue on a global scale. Sara Davies' excellent book allows us to understand the tensions created by this development and is essential reading for students and scholars of International Relations."
Colin Innes, Director of Centre for Health and International Relations, Aberystwyth University
"Davies' book is an informative, comprehensive and deep examination of the relationship between politics and health."
Jillian Clare-Kohler, University of Toronto
"The discussion of global health as an issue of 'high politics' has never been more salient. Sara Davies' excellent book makes an important and insightful contribution to the intensifying debates over 'health security' and global health governance. Essential reading for scholars, policymakers and students alike."
Andrew Price-Smith, The Colorado College and author of Contagion and Chaos and The Health of Nations