Global Health Law

Abstract

This chapter introduces the field of global health law as a foundation to prevent disease and promote health in a globalizing world. Recognizing inequalities in public health throughout the world, the Background section considers the extent to which legal capacities and authorities differ across nations, undercutting efforts to achieve equity in global health. To alleviate these global inequities, the Analysis sections (and accompanying Hypothetical Case Studies) look to global health governance as a foundation of global health law, with the World Health Organization (WHO) exercising its legal authorities to prevent the international spread of infectious diseases and the underlying global determinants of NCDs. The Discussion section examines the rising importance of global health law as a basis to realize global health with justice, considering the influence of human rights law as a foundation for dignity in global health and the rise of new initiatives to alleviate global inequity through international conventions. This chapter concludes that engaging with public health law in a globalizing world will require global health law, establishing a foundation for the global practice of public health law.