an Eldis document

Opportunities and risks for the poor in developing countries

Health and globalisation

Authors: Diaz-Bonilla, E.; Babinard, J.; Pinstrup-Andersen, P.
Publisher: Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations

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The authors of this paper argue that the forces of globalization ought to influence and contribute towards positive health outcomes for the poor in developing countries. Industrialized countries can do much to help reduce world poverty, and improve health outcomes - since they are responsible for defining the global economic, political, and environmental agenda and context.

A number of broad policy issues are recommended as follows:

peace, democracy, and good governance. Continued international diplomatic and political engagement and financial support is crucial in bringing peace and reconciliation to countries affected by conflict and to sustain fragile transitions towards democracy.
trade liberalization in products of interest to developing countries. current negotiations to address trade imbalances must eliminate the combination of agricultural protectionism and high subsidies in industrialized countries that has limited agricultural growth in the developing world and has weakened food security in vulnerable countries by competing with their domestic production.
international capital and aid flows. Poor countries, lacking access to international capital markets, need resources through aid flows. They would benefit from the acceleration and expansion of the HIPC and the implementation, and future increase, of aid targets for donor countries.
technology and public goods. Industrialized countries can help by fostering a serious debate over environmental, health, ethical, and equity concerns with respect to both agricultural biotechnology and agricultural research in general. They can also provide scientific and financial support for technology development in poor countries and facilitate creative public�private partnerships.
Environment. Global environmental concerns, from climate change to stressed ecosystems, are complex and addressing them will involve tangible costs. But costs and uncertainties should not obscure their important implications for the food security, health, and nutrition of the world�s poor.
International health issues. Global surveillance and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases must also continue, which requires strengthening the global outbreak alert and response network established by WHO in April 2000 and building national capacity for epidemic alert and response.
Food security isssues - It is also necessary to build capacity for epidemiological tracking and mapping of food-related diseases; to improve data collection efforts; to improve the collaboration between Ministries of Agriculture and Ministries of Health; to establish a preventive and comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of food-borne illness throughout the food system; and to join efforts between industrialized and developing countries to develop such systems.
Pro-poor policies become even more important as the at-risk groups are exposed to the competitive forces, risks, and opportunities brought about by globalization. Internal peace and reconciliation are a prerequisite in conflict-torn countries. Within that framework, countries need to develop efficient and equitable health systems.

[Adapted from author]