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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4327.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 4:30 PM

Abstract #119668

Global trade, democracy and public health

Ellen R. Shaffer, PhD, MPH1, Joseph E. Brenner, MA2, and Kristen D. Smith, MPH1. (1) Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH), 98 Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121-1437, 352-278-2123, kristensmith64@yahoo.com, (2) Center for Policy Analysis, 98 Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121

Global trade agreements are controversial. Current agreements present five key challenges to health: 1. They erode the authority of public health and other officials to protect the environment, food, and standards for safe health care and working conditions. 2. Regarding health care services, they promote privatization, and address the migration of health care professionals from a narrow commercial perspective rather than a systems view. 3. They present barriers to access to affordable medicines. 4. They promote inequitable economies rather than sustainable economic development. 5. They exclude democratic debate and decision-making by organizations that work to assure equitable public access to affordable health-related services and products, and to promote the health of individuals, communities, and populations. The Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH), APHA and other organizations are seeking to participate in global trade policy decisions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to

    Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, International Public Health

    Related Web page: www.cpath.org

    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 ] Recorded presentation

    Public Health Impact of International Trade Treaties

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA