Presentation from the Summer Lunch 2014 co-hosted by the Mason Institute and the Global Health Academy.
Prof Jennifer Prah Ruger's (University of Pennsylvania) presentation discussed theoretical dimensions of global health equality and inequality and an empirical study of health inequalities among countries and economic, social, public health and healthcare determinants associated with health inequalities.
Based on the theoretical framework of provincial globalism, general and specific duties associated with global and domestic state and non-state actors are delineated to address global health inequalities and externalities. Alternative paradigms for viewing global health problems are surveyed and a normative theory of global health governance called shared health governance is advanced. Shared health governance is justice oriented, grounded in principles of health equity and global and domestic moral responsibility and based on common goals and common commitments.
On a shared health governance view, it is virtually impossible to understand global health as a stand-alone category of inquiry without a clear and sophisticated understanding of national and local health systems and policy. It is therefore essential, in conjunction with global analysis, to examine actors and institutions at the national and subnational level and to develop principles of equitable access, equitable and efficient health financing and insurance, and scientific and deliberative processes for addressing health problems.
Shared health governance, a multi-level framework, was presented as a governance structure better positioned to more effectively deliver on effectuating health equity.