Abstract

For over a decade, Global Health Watch has been the definitive source for alternative analysis on health.

This new edition addresses the key challenges facing governments and health practitioners today, within the context of rapid shifts in global governance mechanisms and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Like its predecessors, it challenges conventional wisdom while pioneering innovative new approaches to the field.

Collaboratively written by academics and activists drawn from a variety of movements, research institutions and civil society groups, it covers some of the most pressing issues in world health, from the resurgence of epidemic diseases such as Ebola to the crisis in the WHO, climate change and the ‘war on drugs’. Combining rigorous analysis with practical policy suggestions, Global Health Watch 5 offers an accessible and compelling case for a radical new approach to health and healthcare across the world.

‘Offers a courageous and serious assessment, making it compulsory health policy reading.’
Michael Moore, President, World Federation of Public Health Associations

‘Addresses the increasingly complex problems affecting the health of populations. It draws attention to the destructive impact of corporate power and to the abuse of technological and scientific developments.’
Nila Heredia Miranda, former Minister of Health for Bolivia, and Executive Director of the Andean Health Organisation

‘This encyclopaedic work offers a thorough discussion of the state of human health worldwide, a deep analysis of the social causes of persistent health deficits, and constructive ideas for reform. An indispensable second opinion to government propaganda.’
Thomas Pogge, Yale University

‘A consistent source of critical information and analysis of health around the world. Terrific for researchers, teachers, students and health activists. The current edition will help the fight for better social, economic and environmental conditions.’
Paulo Buss, Director, FIOCRUZ Center for Global Health

‘Brings together vision, critique, solidarity, and the promise of a collective path towards health equity for the world’s peoples. GHW5 makes vivid the connections between social justice and public health.’
Nancy Krieger, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

‘Global Health Watch again meets our expectations for a critical analysis of the two great challenges of our time: the ecological crisis, and continuing economic disparities. It holds us accountable, and moves us toward an alternate vision.’
Vic Neufeld, Special Advisor, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research

'A highly informative book – an extremely useful contribution offering an indeed alternative understanding of current global responses to probably the world’s greatest challenge.'
Medicine, Conflict and Survival

'An invaluable alternative health report to the mainstream consensus that privatized health insurance (known as Universal Health Coverage) is the answer to the world’s health problems.'
Social Medicine Portal

‘Provides us with compelling evidence about all that is wrong with the governance of health care systems across the world. At the same time it also provides us with hope, in the many stories about what can be done and what is being done.’
Halfdan Mahler, former director general of the World Health Organization

‘An incisive socio-political critique of contemporary global health issues’
K. Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India

‘Reading Global Health Watch is a necessary step in understanding how challenging and urgent change is, but that it is increasingly necessary for the survival of our planet Earth.’
Eduardo Espinoza, vice-minister for health of El Salvador

‘Global Health Watch confirms the failure of the UN, capitalism and liberal democracy. It also convinces us that we shall need a radically new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.’
Suwit Wibulpolprasert, former senior adviser on disease control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

'Challenges us to look at health and health care from a critical perspective. Essential reading for the movers and shakers in health policy the world over.'
Gill Walt, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine