Applying Bilateral and Multilateral Strategies in Global Health Governance to Combat Global Water Issues

In these times of global economic constraints, increased transfer of international health risks, and mounting health inequalities worldwide, global health governance faces major hurdles in combating one of the greatest public health challenges of our time: global water issues, such as water remediation, water scarcity, and water-related diseases.

Effective governance to prepare for, and combat these growing challenges depends on bilateral and multilateral strategies, including global public-private health partnerships. In light of the 2003 SARS outbreak in China, policymakers and the public, alike, have placed growing pressures on the global public health community to protect against emerging infectious diseases such as new strains of pandemic influenza, fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and a host of "neglected diseases" in the developing world.

Through this avenue, global water issues are gaining notice on the global health governance agenda. However, efforts to strengthen cooperation and the role of international law in protecting and promoting public health on a global basis, has made limited progress. It is imperative that state, non-state actors, and coordinating organizations such as the WHO, strengthen global health governance in order to protect the health of all populations.