Globalization

Abstract

Globalization, defined as the closer interconnectedness of human societies across national borders and geographies, through a mixture of spatial, temporal, and cognitive changes, is having wide-ranging impacts on public health. This interconnectedness is characterized by restructuring of the world economy, increased population mobility, and advances in information and communication technology, all of which can have profound impacts on health determinants and outcomes. Contemporary globalization creates new opportunities to enhance human health and well-being, but can also be a potential source of negative externalities. In addition, the costs and benefits to health from globalization have been inequitably distributed. A ‘global public health’ approach seeks to better understand the changing patterns of health and disease, and their determinants, arising from globalization, and the interventions needed to effectively manage them. This requires greater attention to achieving collective action, underpinned by legal and regulatory frameworks, across populations and societies to tackle transboundary health determinants and outcomes. More effective global health governance, in turn, will contribute to more sustainable forms of globalization.