What is Global Health?
With the expansion of international aid, the term "global health" has become more common. But, what do we mean by "global health," as opposed to "public health" or "international health?" The table below (Kaplan JP et al. Lancet 2009, 373:1) attempts to draw out the primary distinctions between these three terms:
| Global Health | International Health | Public Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
Geography |
Health issues that transcend national boundaries | Focus on issues outside of one’s own country | Focus on specific communities or countries |
Cooperation |
Global | Bi-national | National |
Populations |
Prevention and clinical care | Prevention and clinical care | Prevention |
Access |
Health equity among nations | Help other nations | Health equity within a nation or community |
Disciplines |
Highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary | Embraces a few disciplines | Multidisciplinary, particularly with health and social sciences |
Source: Kaplan JP et al. Lancet 2009, 373:9679 pp 1993-1995
Examples of areas within Global Health:
- Infectious diseases
- Oncology
- Maternal and child health
- Tobacco control
- Micronutrient deficiencies
- Obesity
- Injury Prevention
- Migrant-worker health
- Emergency medicine
- Refugee health
- Rehabilitation
This page last updated Aug 16, 2011