PHA-Exch> The Politics of Health Knowledge Network

[Claudio Schuftan]

*The Politics of Health Knowledge Network*

* *

*The mission of the Politics of Health site*

The Politics of Health Knowledge Network http://www.politicsofhealth.org   is
a forum for the exploration of the impact of political decisions on health –
and the search for healthier, more equitable alternatives. We are concerned
with how politics affect health on all levels – from individuals, to social
groups, to the earth itself as a living system.

The POH site does not attempt to keep up with breaking news. Our articles
and discussions are aimed at discovering and clarifying the underlying
principles that we need to keep in mind as we work together to build a
healthier world.

This *Politics of Health Page* is a project of HealthWrights <
http://www.healthwrights.org>.

After more than thirty years of work in the field, our work has evolved from
the curative, to the preventive, to the political dimensions of health and
well-being. Children's need for adequate food, clean water, basic health
services, and education are only likely to be met through focused political
action to assert a community's legal and ethical rights. In today's
top-heavy globalized world, efforts to approach Health for All will need to
focus on organizing and networking globally from the bottom up.

On today's troubled planet it is increasingly necessary to address the
environmental determinants of health. As David Werner stated in a recent
evaluation of a health program that was attempting to connect the issues of
personal and ecological health, "if humanity is ever to overcome the
enormous problems we naked apes have created through selfishness and
disconnection, from one another and from the web of life, we must learn to
live in harmony, with ourselves and with the ecosphere that surrounds us. We
must affirm a oneness that, in a paradoxical way, supports our rich
diversity."

*Representative articles posted on the Politics of Health site:*

*The Value Of Modestly Trained Health Workers**, by David Werner *<
http://politicsofhealth.org/main/>

At regular intervals a fresh and original editorial is posted on the site.
In this one David Werner quotes a group of village mother in the Philippines,
who came to realize that "what's been killing our babies is modern medical
care!!" Then, practical suggestions are made as to what might be done about
this.

*The Radiation Poisoning Of America**,* by *Amy Worthington*  <
http://politicsofhealth.org/radiation>

In the POH  "What's New" section, articles that lay bare the links between
political issues and health problems are posted, with an introduction by the
HealthWrights staff. This timely, well-researched article suggests that
common forms of radiation to which we are all exposed on a daily basis may
be a much greater health problem than is generally recognized. In the
introduction to the article HealthWrights asks why our modern society has
become so carcinogenic.

*Psychiatric Imperialism** -- The Medicalisation of Modern Living,
*by*Joanna Moncrieff,
M.D.*

<http://politicsofhealth.org/main/psychiatric_imperialism>
In the "Radical Edge" section of the POH page we post articles that challenge
us to examine our fundamental assumptions about health, politics and
society. In her article, Janna Moncrieff points out that the psychiatric
profession is driven by social, political and economic agendas that are not
generally recognized.

WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE SITE PERIODICALLY. UPDATES WILL BE POSTED IN THIS
LIST SERVER.
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