Global health’s past continues to shape its present, with ongoing challenges rooted in colonialism, unequal funding, and knowledge production.
Authors
Abdul K. Azad, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Dirk R. Essink, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
Summary
In this second chapter, we begin by offering a brief historical account of global health. This account aims to define global health, trace its development, and highlight its foundation in human rights. Equally important, this historical perspective underscores the significant challenges that persist in global health today, many of which are deeply rooted in its past. For instance, global health funding agencies and research institutions are still predominantly based in the Global North, and global health knowledge production and implementation often fail to incorporate local knowledge. While the chapter addresses the colonial roots of contemporary global health practices, it is important to note that the chapter itself starts from a Eurocentric perspective. This narrative also reveals the complexities of distinguishing global health practice from public health. The chapter refrains from providing an exhaustive overview of various global health topics, such as maternal health and malnutrition. For further reading, please refer to the list at the end of the chapter.
Published in: Global Health and Human Rights: Principles and Practices
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