Principle one of the Rio Declaration on Environment and development postulates that Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development and that they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. As a result good health for all populations has become an accepted international goal and we can attest that there have been gains in life expectancy over the past century especially in the developing world.
The prospects for future health depend increasingly on the relatively new process of globalisation which in past times has often been seen as a more or less economic process. However it is increasingly being perceived as a more comprehensive phenomenon, which is shaped by a multitude of factors and events that are reshaping our society rapidly.
Globalisation is the process by which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected as a result of massively increased trade and cultural exchange. This phenomenon has resulted in the increased production of goods and services and continues to impact many social aspects including health both directly and indirectly. Woodward (et al, 2001) posits that these direct health consequences can be 'at the level of whole populations, individuals and healthcare delivery systems ', while the indirect health consequences are concerned with 'the economy and other factors, such as education, sanitation and water supply '. Due to these far-reaching implications, it is widely accepted that globalization is a big opportunity for boosting the economy. However, it is also the factor that promotes unfriendly social force that affects those in the periphery of societies. The two sides endorse negative aspects but it also support for positive effects.
Globalisation is a multifaceted phenomenon that can affect health in myriad ways. Discuss.
Globalisation put forward by Rennen and Martens is an intensification of
References: Baum F. Health, equity, justice and globalisation: some lessons from the People’s Health Assembly. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001; Feachem R. Globalisation is good for your health, mostly. BMJ 2001; Hong E: Globalisation and the impact on health: a third world view. Issue paper prepared for The Peoples ' Assembly, December 4-8, 2000, Savar Bangladesh, ; 2000. Lee K. Globalization and health: an introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Martens P, Rotmans J: Transitions in a globalising world. Lisse, Swets & Zeitlinger; 2002 Martens P, McMichael AJ, Patz J: Globalisation, Environmental Change and Health.Global Change and Human Health 2000, Rennen W, Martens P: The globalisation timeline.Integrated Assessment 2003, WHO: The world health report 2002: reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2002 Yach D, Bettcher D. Globalisation of tobacco industry influence and new global responses. Tobacco Control. 2000