Online Program

Oral

Global trade has been shown to have major impacts on health in the countries affected by restrictive trade agreements. Agreements that are often negotiated in secret have provisions that are almost certain to have important effects on public health. Examples from past agreements include restricting the ability of national governments to control trade in harmful products such as tobacco and alcohol; reducing the availability and affordability of medicines and other medical treatment options; and increasing the power of large corporations to ignore international standards that protect health such as by aggressive marketing of infant formula. This panel will deal with specific examples of the effects of international trade on health, the trade agreements under negotiation, and possibilities for making them more appropriate to the promotion of global health.

Session Objectives: Describe at least three ways that trade agreements can have important effects on health. Explain how the ability of nations to control the use of tobacco products is affected by trade agreements, and how that ability can be protected. Discuss how possible interactions between inequality and national trade policies can affect health. Explain how access to essential medicines is affected by trade policies and why it matters.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)