The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74225

Jodette Chavez, MPH and Isaias Cordero, MD. c/o PSI Inter-American Regional Office, Central American Public Health Workers Network, 733 15th St. N.W., Suite 324, Washington, DC 20005

Under pressure from pending regional trade agreements, there have been efforts in El Salvador and other Central American nations to convert strong public systems for financing health care into private systems. These efforts have particular implications for decreasing access to care and increasing pervasive social and economic inequality, in nations close to the U.S. A broad social movement, led by health care workers and professionals, has successfully opposed privatization. The trade agreements that have influenced this process include the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). This presentation will discuss the links between trade agreements and privatization and deregulation of public health care services in Central America, and the work to support maintaining public services.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to discuss:
• The influence of negotiations for the Central American Free Trade Agreement in attempts to privatize the public health care system in El Salvador.
• Efforts by health care workers and professionals to oppose privatization.

Keywords: Privatization, International Health

Related Web page: www.world-psi.org/psi.nsf

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.