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Commentary: Global action on social determinants of health

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Abstract

This commentary argues that there are three major crises confronting global health: ongoing financial crises; deepening ecological crises; and rapidly escalating income and wealth inequalities within and between nations. Global rhetorical responses to these crises frequently invoke policy sentiments similar to those advised by the 2008 WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH). However, actual policy decisions run counter to the evidence reviewed by the Commission, and its final report recommendations. Failure to re-regulate financial capitalism, introduce regulatory standards for transnational companies, or subordinate trade and investment liberalization treaties to development goals and human rights treaties will exacerbate global health inequities into the future. More positively, there is increasing support for systems of global taxation. The challenge for global health, however, will remain the willingness of states to make domestic and foreign policy choices that strengthen income redistribution, economic regulation, and citizen rights.

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EDITORS' NOTE: In 2008, the 3-year WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) released its final report. One of its evidence-backed and more trenchant claims was that ‘poor social policies, unfair economics, and bad politics are killing people on a grand scale’ (p. x). Three years later, a WHO World Conference on Social Determinants of Health was convened in Rio de Janeiro, co-hosted by the Brazilian government. The Conference, the largest WHO meeting since the 1978 Alma Ata conference on primary health care, attracted 160 country delegations, 60 health ministers, and 1200 invited participants. Its intent was to galvanize actions based on the recommendations of the CSDH. As chair of the Globalization Knowledge Network for the CSDH, Professor Labonté was invited to introduce the theme of global actions for health. An edited text of his comments to the meeting delegates follows.

Three major crises confront global health: ongoing financial crises, deepening ecological crises, and rapidly escalating income and wealth inequalities within and between nations.

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Labonté, R. Commentary: Global action on social determinants of health. J Public Health Pol 33, 139–147 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.61

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