A History of Global Health

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Randall Packard addresses the dimensions of global health as they have evolved over the past century. Although early flaws persist in the successive systems, he recognizes among positive changes the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making and unimagined biomedical technology. Over and again he recommends that where countries fail to benefit from technological progress, funds must be channeled to training health workers and improving laboratory and clinic facilities. He emphasizes the neglected role played by cultural, social, and economic factors underlying health issues and the practice of band-aiding with medical advances.

The book draws together the history of institutions obliged to work together–not always successfully–to bring about improved global health. He describes the forming, amending, and dissolution of international governmental agencies, NGOs, and the missionaries serving in regions without adequate services. He commends individuals like John D. Rockefeller III, whose foundation helped eighty countries, the hundreds of millions donated by Bill and Melinda Gates, and the thousands of others who have played a not insignificant role.

Frequent epidemics of yellow fever, the first disease threatening to destroy continents, and the more recent scourges of HIV/AIDS, SARS, and Ebola show Packard’s scope in enlightening readers who are rarely likely to be so captivated by a university publication. This is a powerful book demanding substantial time and attention.

To resolve a small stumbling block, a well-organized glossary of acronyms would not be amiss.


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Author Randall M. Packard
Star Count /5
Format Trade
Page Count 432 pages
Publisher John Hopkins University Press
Publish Date 2016-Jul-18
ISBN 9781421420332
Bookshop.org Buy this Book
Issue January 2017
Category History
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