ABSTRACT

There is growing interest and concern about the unacceptable differentials in health between and within countries. This comes out of the realization that poor people will only be able to prosper, and emerge from poverty, if they enjoy better health. Healthy populations are a precondition for sustainable development. Using a novel combination of the personal studies of patients and description of conditions or diseases, this book provides a highly original and accessible introduction to key issues in global health today. Especially during the past decade, global health initiatives have become a prominent part of the international aid picture, bringing new resources, political commitment, and more attention for international health issues in the media. The author provides examples of diseases and problems related to health that disproportionally impact the poor, and gives their experiences 'a human face' through individual case studies. A specific case study of a health problem, such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV or health financing, introduces each chapter and is followed by a historical review of the problem, why it is still now a problem for poor people or poor countries, and what can be done about it. These will inspire the reader to become more engaged with international health and development.

chapter 1|10 pages

The poor have no face, no voice

chapter 2|15 pages

Roll back malaria

chapter 3|16 pages

TB and HIV

chapter 4|12 pages

Safe motherhood

chapter 5|15 pages

Family planning

chapter 6|12 pages

Cervical cancer

chapter 7|13 pages

Water and sanitation

chapter 8|14 pages

Neglected tropical diseases

chapter 9|14 pages

Undernutrition

chapter 10|13 pages

New diseases of poverty

chapter 11|11 pages

Health financing

chapter 12|12 pages

Cross-border health care

chapter 13|11 pages

Revisiting Alma Ata