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 attempts to draw out the primary distinctions between these three terms:
| Geography | Cooperation | Populations | Access | Disciplines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Global Health |
Health issues that transcend national boundaries | Global | Prevention and clinical care | Health equity among nations | Highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary |
International Health |
Focus on issues outside of one’s own country | Bi-national | Prevention and clinical care | Help other nations | Embraces a few disciplines |
Public Health |
Focus on specific communities or countries | National | Prevention | Health equity within a nation or community | Multidisciplinary, particularly with health and social sciences |
Source: Koplan JP et al. Lancet 2009, 373:9679 pp 1993-1995