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Equal opportunities for health action for development is a project implemented by 29 European partners and associates from the health community with the aim to mobilise public support in Europe for Global Health and Health Equity as a strategy and policy for more equitable North-South relations and poverty reduction in developing countries.
The project “Equal opportunities for health: action for development” aimed to raise awareness on the close link between health and development and to make the health community accountable for taking action, in line with the efforts made at international level for achieving the Millennium Development Goals – with a specific reference to those focusing on health as child mortality reduction, improvement of maternal health and control of communicable diseases – and through the strengthening of national healthcare systems. The project, which started in May 2007 and ended up in April 2009, was co-financed by the European Union and it involved different European partners, creating a strong network among partners and associates. As result and follow up of the project a network called “Italian Network for Global Health Teaching” was born. This network aims to increase the knowledge on the training available on global health in Italian universities, to promote electives and courses within schools of Medical Science on this matter and to advocate the importance of having global health in the educational framework.
Health is a fundamental and universally recognised human right. Notwithstanding this, and even though at the global level there has been an overall improvement in people’s state of health, inequalities in health are growing not only between nations but also within nations themselves, especially in developing countries. Given today’s available knowledge and resources, it is clear that such inequalities are socially determined, avoidable and unnecessary, therefore unacceptable, not only economically and politically, but also at the ethical and moral level. Only through a common and shared commitment and collective action will it be possible to confront this indifference. Therefore the main focus of Global Health concerns the health status and the real needs of world population, as well as its socio-economic, political, demographic, juridical and environmental determinants, as well as the relationship between globalisation and health in terms of equity, human rights, sustainability and international diplomacy. Due to the complexity of such issues, the Global Health approach is necessarily a trans-disciplinary and multimethod one, built on the contribution of natural, biomedical and social sciences and the humanities.
In today's globalised world, national borders are no longer a barrier to the diffusion of health and diseases. Besides, social and economic determinants have a significant impact on health. Therefore, health promotion in the age of globalisation necessarily involves a new health paradigm and professionals with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude in a new field called "global health". Indeed, health professionals should be more aware of the importance of a global health approach and have a clear understanding of social, cultural and environmental factors affecting health and illness and of their ability and responsibility to influence them and become activist for the promotion of the right to health for all. To promote this cultural change investments in education and training are needed, both in the field of university education and in the field of life-long learning.
Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Bologna
(Italy)
Department of Public Health, University of Florence
(Italy)
Italian Secretary of Medicine Students
(Italy)
Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University
of Leeds
(United Kingdom)
Foundation of Humanitarian Aid “Redemptoris Missio”
(Poland)
German Medical Aid Organization
action medeor e.V.
(Germany)
In association with:
Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine (Belgium) •
Medicus Mundi Spain (Spain) •
National Observatory of Paediatrics under Specialisation (Italy) •
Padua College of Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Children Supervisors (Italy) •
Padua Medical Association (Italy) •
Padua Health Authority (Italy) •
Department of Environmental and Public Health, University of Padua (Italy) •
Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin (Italy) •
Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, University of Catania (Italy) •
Department of Experimental and Environmental Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Milan (Italy) •
Paediatric Institute IRCCS Burlo Garofolo (Italy) •
11 Doctors with Africa Supporting Groups (Italy)
