PHA-Exch> Trade and health: an agenda for action

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC) <ruglucia at paho.org>
crossposted from: EQUIDAD at listserv.paho.org

 *Trade and health: an agenda for action*



Prof Richard D Smith PhD a , Kelley Lee PhD b, Nick Drager PhD c

a<http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)61780-8/fulltext#back-aff1%23back-aff1>Health
Policy Unit, Department of Public Health and Policy, and Centre on
Global Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK

b<http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)61780-8/fulltext#back-aff2%23back-aff2>Centre
on Global Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, London, UK

c<http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)61780-8/fulltext#back-aff3%23back-aff3>Department
of Ethics, Equity, Trade and Human Rights, World Health
Organization, Geneva, Switzerland



*The Lancet, Volume 373, Issue 9665, Pages 768 - 773, 28 February 2009 *

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61780-8C



Summary:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)61780-8/fulltext



“…..The processes of contemporary globalisation are creating ever-closer
ties between individuals and populations across different countries. The
health of a population, and the systems in place to deliver health care, are
affected increasingly by factors beyond the population and health system.



The Lancet's Series on trade and health has provided an overview of these
links between international trade, trade liberalisation, and health, and
raised the key issues that face the health community. In this final paper in
the Series, we call for a substantial and sustained effort by those within
the health profession to engage with issues of trade, to strengthen
institutional capacity in this area, and to place health higher on the
agenda of trade negotiations.



The rapid rise of trade agreements and treaties, as well as trade that
occurs beyond these institutional boundaries, means that further action is
required by a range of actors, including WHO, the World Bank, the World
Trade Organization (WTO), regional agencies, foundations, national
governments, civil society, non-governmental organisations, and academics.



The stewardship of a domestic health system in the 21st century requires a
sophisticated understanding of how trade affects, and will affect, a
country's health system and policy, to optimise opportunities to benefit
health and health care while minimising the risks posed though the assertion
of health goals in trade policy. To acheive this will place a premium on all
those engaged in health to understand the importance of trade and to engage
with their counterparts involved in trade and trade policy….….”
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