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

Abstract #122075

Marty Makinen, PhD, PHRplus Project, Abt Associates Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-913-0689, marty_makinen@abtassoc.com

This presentation focuses on trade and health from the perspective of developing countries. It reviews the advantages and disadvantages of international trade generally for developing countries, in terms of economic growth, employment, and distribution of benefits. It then focuses on the implications of trade on health for developing countries. It reviews from a public health perspective the issues; the institutions involved, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional trade agreements and frameworks and Ministries of Health and Trade; the rules, rights, and responsibilities of countries engaged in the WTO and other agreements; and the voice of the developing countries in negotiations and procedures. The issues covered include those related to intellectual property rights and trade in services. The presentation notes that there are differing perspectives on trade and health between larger (e.g., Brazil and India) and smaller (e.g., Ecuador and Cambodia) developing countries and between middle-income (e.g., South Africa and Chile) and poorer (e.g., Mali and Bolivia) developing countries. The presentation also reviews the evidence about the effects of trade on health for developing countries. It concludes by proposing an agenda for trade and health in developing countries.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the issues related to trade and public health from the perspective of developing countries;
• Discuss the roles of institutions and rules on trade and their implications for public health in developing countries; and
• Know what the evidence is on the effects of trade on public health in developing countries.

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.