Although the last two decades have seen the healthcare systems of most developed countries face pressure for major reform, the impact of this reform on the relationship between empowerment, consumerism and citizen's rights has received limited research attention. Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy sets out to redress this imbalance. This book explores the extent to which globalisation and commercialisation relate to current and emerging health policies. It also looks at the implications for citizens, patients and social rights, as well as how policy making interacts with the interests of global and European trade and economic policies. Topics discussed include: How the impact of globalisation on health systems is apparent in the influence of international actors and European policies. How the impact of globalisation is mediated by national priorities and policies and is therefore reflected in diverse influences. How commercialisation of health is presented as benefiting citizens and patients but has the potential to undermine the aims and values inherent in health systems. How the role of citizens' interests, social rights, patient's rights and priorities of patient and public involvement need to be separated from commercialisation, choice and consumerism in health care. Essential reading for policy makers and students of public policy, politics, law and health services, Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy will also appeal to those interested in patient involvement international healthcare, international relations, trans-national organisations and the EU.

Although the last two decades have seen the healthcare systems of most developed countries face pressure for major reform, the impact of this reform on the relationship between empowerment, consumerism and citizen's rights has received limited research attention. Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy sets out to redress this imbalance. This book explores the extent to which globalisation and commercialisation relate to current and emerging health policies. It also looks at the implications for citizens, patients and social rights, as well as how policy making interacts with the interests of global and European trade and economic policies. Topics discussed include: How the impact of globalisation on health systems is apparent in the influence of international actors and European policies. How the impact of globalisation is mediated by national priorities and policies and is therefore reflected in diverse influences. How commercialisation of health is presented as benefiting citizens and patients but has the potential to undermine the aims and values inherent in health systems. How the role of citizens' interests, social rights, patient's rights and priorities of patient and public involvement need to be separated from commercialisation, choice and consumerism in health care. Essential reading for policy makers and students of public policy, politics, law and health services, Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy will also appeal to those interested in patient involvement international healthcare, international relations, trans-national organisations and the EU.

At a time of fundamental changes in international health strategies, this is the first book to provide a comprehensive account of the international agencies involved -- notably the World Health Organisation, the World Bank, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNDP. Succinctly covering their organisation, finances, policies and practice, and paying due attention to the increasingly dominant role in health policymaking being played by the World Bank, this book also devotes attention to other actors in the health field, notably non-governmental organisations. It also examines in depth the main areas of international health policy, including the Health for All and Primary Health Care strategies, the current preoccupation with health care reform and service delivery, the future of essential drugs policies and the issues surrounding reproductive health and population.
What makes this book of outstanding usefulness is not simply its rich combination of institutional and policy information and analysis, but the particular stance of its authors - namely their principled assertion of the universal right of people to have access to much needed health services as the essential basis for any health policy.