Global Health Definition:

Health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries, which may be influenced by circumstances or experiences in other countries, and which are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions.

(Institute Of Medicine, USA- 1997)

Historical Development of Term

1. Public Health:

•Developed as a discipline in the mid 19 century in UK, Europe and US. Concerned more with national issues.

•Data and evidence to support action, focus on populations, social justice and equity, emphasis on preventions vs cure.

2. International Health:

Developed during past decades, came to be more concerned with

•the diseases (e.g. tropical diseases) and

•conditions (war, natural disasters) of middle and low income countries.

•Tended to denote a one way flow of “good ideas”.

3. Global Health:

More recent in its origin and emphasises a greater scope of health problems and solutions

•that transcend national boundaries

•requiring greater inter-disciplinary approach.