Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117471

Lanny Smith, MD, MPH, DTM&H, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Residency Programs in Social Medicine and Primary Care;, 355 Chelsea Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 718 944 6488, lannysmith@post.harvard.edu

In the midst of CAFTA, overt privatization of health--pushed by the United States Government and Big Health Business, and a host of other discouraging examples in the Americas, many communities continue to struggle for social justice with the vision that “another world is possible”. From the perspective of Liberation Medicine, “the conscious, conscientious use of health to promote social justice and human dignity,” this presentation will document some of the concrete examples within this struggle. We will look at examples of grassroots struggles for health as a Human Right and the role that health professionals have to play in that struggle. We will draw examples from throughout the Americas including the First World Health Forum, January 2005, Porto Alegre, Brazil, to organizing efforts and local community effects toward the Second People's Health Assembly to be held in Cuenca, Ecuador from 18-23 July. While the reality of social justice in Latin America remains grim the spark of working to making a difference fighting for human rights and dignity through community action continues to serve as an example to the world.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the continued importance of grassroots social movements to struggle against the power hungry conglomerates of transnational corporations and governments working collaboratively.
• Demonstrate how organizing around health, a basic human right, can be a successful way for grassroots to influence policy.
• Discuss how individuals considering pursuing a career in health can join the struggle for health as a human right.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation