This book explores globalization as a ‘determinant’ of social determinants of health within and between nations. Although not a new a phenomenon, globalization has undergone dramatic shifts since the beginning of the neoliberal era post-1980. Neoliberal globalization’s impacts on governments’ foreign policy decisions and domestic policy space is increasingly evident, the more so since the 2008 financial crisis. Much public health literature on global health, however, continues to focus primarily on ‘international health’: the concern for high burdens of disease in generally low-income countrie ... More

This book explores globalization as a ‘determinant’ of social determinants of health within and between nations. Although not a new a phenomenon, globalization has undergone dramatic shifts since the beginning of the neoliberal era post-1980. Neoliberal globalization’s impacts on governments’ foreign policy decisions and domestic policy space is increasingly evident, the more so since the 2008 financial crisis. Much public health literature on global health, however, continues to focus primarily on ‘international health’: the concern for high burdens of disease in generally low-income countries. Although international health work remains important, a globalization approach augments it by posing two questions: Why are some countries poorer and sicker, and others wealthier and healthier? What are the inherently global (trans-border) issues that affect inequities in disease burdens and health opportunities, for individuals as well as for nations? The book takes a political economy approach in answering these questions, covering key globalization concepts and theory, as well as historical background to an understanding of both globalization and global health. It then turns to key pathways by which globalization is affecting health through profound changes in migration, labour markets, trade and investment rules, international development assistance, health systems, infectious and non-communicable disease risks, environmental health, and gendered aspects of globalization’s health dialectic. The book closes with a discussion of global governance for health, the role of human rights, and the importance of a strong civil society articulating and advocating for national and global policies predicated on social justice, health equity, and a sustainable ecology.