Recorded presentation

Cesar Vieira, MD MPH, Governance and Policy Area, Pan American Health Organization, 525 Twenty-third Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 974-3000, postmaster@paho.org

The pace of economic integration and international trade has increased during recent years. In the Americas, the benefits of trade have not been equally distributed. Trade agreements under negotiation by the American countries include trade in health services and goods, and include issues like access to affordable prescription drugs, cross-border movement of services and patients, the commercial presence of foreign firms, and the migration of health professionals. Until recently, the health sector has had a limited participation in these complex negotiations. PAHO has supported the involvement of health authorities, public health leaders, and the health community in discussions and international trade negotiations in the Americas and throughout the world. This presentation discusses prospects for involving the health community in those negotiations in order to protect population health, and to assure the population access to health services and goods.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to identify the role of international trade agreements in encouraging privatization of health and other social services in the Americas, as well as the economic and social trends affecting trade and health.

Keywords: International Health, Economic Analysis

Related Web page: www.paho.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation