🌍Gender and Global Politics Unit 8 – Global Health & Identity in World Politics

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Global health focuses on improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide
• Identity politics refers to political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify
• Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged populations
  • Disparities can be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status
• Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that shape health outcomes
  • Includes factors like income, education, housing, and access to healthcare
• Health equity is the absence of unfair and avoidable or remediable differences in health among population groups defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically
• Intersectionality is the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
• Universal health coverage ensures that all people have access to needed health services without suffering financial hardship

Historical Context

• Colonialism and imperialism have had lasting impacts on global health inequities
  • Colonial powers often neglected the health needs of colonized populations and disrupted traditional health practices
• The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations to promote international cooperation for improved public health conditions
• The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 emphasized the importance of primary healthcare and the role of community participation in health promotion
• The HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s and 1990s highlighted global health inequities and the need for international cooperation
  • Marginalized populations, such as LGBTQ+ individuals and people in developing countries, were disproportionately affected
• The Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015) and Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030) have included targets related to global health and gender equality
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing health disparities and inequities worldwide

Global Health Challenges

• Infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, continue to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries
  • Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to biological, social, and economic factors
• Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, are increasing in prevalence globally
  • Gender norms and roles can influence risk factors for non-communicable diseases, such as tobacco use and physical inactivity
• Maternal and child health remain significant challenges in many parts of the world
  • Lack of access to quality maternal healthcare contributes to high rates of maternal mortality in some regions
• Mental health is often neglected in global health efforts, despite its significant impact on overall health and well-being
  • Stigma and discrimination can prevent individuals from seeking mental health care, particularly in certain cultural contexts
• Environmental health issues, such as air pollution and climate change, have disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations
  • Women and children are often more vulnerable to the health impacts of environmental degradation
• Access to essential medicines and vaccines is limited in many low- and middle-income countries
  • Intellectual property rights and trade agreements can affect the affordability and availability of medicines

Identity Politics in Healthcare

• Gender identity and sexual orientation can significantly impact an individual's health outcomes and experiences with the healthcare system
  • Transgender individuals often face discrimination and barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare services
• Racial and ethnic minorities often experience health disparities due to systemic racism and discrimination
  • In the United States, Black women have higher rates of maternal mortality compared to white women
• Socioeconomic status can determine access to healthcare services and resources
  • Low-income individuals may struggle to afford healthcare or may live in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure
• Cultural and religious beliefs can influence health behaviors and decision-making
  • Some cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation, can have negative health consequences
• Language barriers can prevent individuals from accessing healthcare services or understanding health information
  • Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services can lead to poorer health outcomes for minority populations
• Disability status can impact an individual's health needs and experiences with the healthcare system
  • People with disabilities may face physical barriers to accessing healthcare facilities or may encounter attitudinal barriers from healthcare providers

International Organizations and Policies

• The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in coordinating global health efforts and setting international health guidelines
  • The WHO has initiatives focused on gender equality and women's health, such as the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health
• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide
  • UNFPA advocates for the elimination of harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is a partnership organization that mobilizes and invests resources to support programs in low- and middle-income countries
  • The Global Fund has a gender equality strategy to address gender-related barriers to accessing healthcare services
• The GAVI Alliance is a public-private partnership that aims to increase access to immunization in poor countries
  • GAVI has a gender policy to ensure that immunization programs are gender-responsive and address gender-related barriers
• The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a U.S. government initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic
  • PEPFAR has a focus on addressing gender inequalities and supporting women and girls affected by HIV/AIDS
• The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, adopted in 1994, recognized reproductive rights as human rights and emphasized the importance of gender equality

Case Studies and Examples

• The Zika virus outbreak in Latin America in 2015-2016 highlighted the intersections of gender, poverty, and access to reproductive healthcare
  • Women in affected areas faced difficult decisions about pregnancy and childbearing in the context of the outbreak
• The Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016 disproportionately affected women, who were more likely to be caregivers and healthcare workers
  • The outbreak also disrupted maternal healthcare services, leading to increased maternal mortality
• The forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada and the United States in the 20th century is an example of the intersection of gender, race, and colonialism in healthcare
• The HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has had a significant impact on women and girls
  • Gender-based violence and unequal power dynamics in relationships contribute to women's vulnerability to HIV infection
• The Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, is a U.S. government policy that prohibits foreign organizations receiving U.S. global health assistance from providing or promoting abortion services
  • The policy has been criticized for its negative impact on women's health and access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare
• The Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, convened in 2016, developed a comprehensive definition of sexual and reproductive health and rights and made recommendations for advancing these rights globally

Intersectionality and Health Disparities

• Intersectionality recognizes that individuals' experiences are shaped by multiple, overlapping social identities and systems of oppression
  • For example, a low-income, immigrant woman of color may face unique barriers to accessing healthcare due to the intersection of her gender, race, socioeconomic status, and immigration status
• Intersectional approaches to global health acknowledge that health disparities are not solely the result of individual choices or behaviors but are influenced by structural and systemic factors
• Applying an intersectional lens to global health research and practice can help identify and address the root causes of health inequities
  • This may involve examining how policies, institutions, and social norms perpetuate health disparities along lines of gender, race, class, and other social identities
• Intersectional global health interventions aim to be inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of different populations
  • This may involve partnering with community-based organizations, ensuring cultural and linguistic accessibility, and addressing social determinants of health
• Intersectionality also highlights the importance of diverse representation in global health leadership and decision-making
  • Ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice in shaping health policies and programs can help promote health equity
• Critiques of intersectionality in global health argue that the approach can be challenging to operationalize and may not always lead to concrete actions to address health disparities
  • However, proponents argue that an intersectional approach is necessary for truly transformative change in global health

Future Trends and Debates

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated global health inequities, particularly along lines of race, gender, and socioeconomic status
  • The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of strengthening global health systems and promoting health equity in preparedness and response efforts
• Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on global health, with disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations
  • Addressing the health impacts of climate change will require intersectional approaches that consider the unique needs and experiences of different communities
• Advances in technology, such as telemedicine and mobile health applications, have the potential to improve access to healthcare services in underserved areas
  • However, ensuring equitable access to and benefit from these technologies will be an ongoing challenge
• There is growing recognition of the importance of decolonizing global health research and practice
  • This involves challenging power imbalances, centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, and promoting locally-led solutions
• The rise of nationalist and populist movements in some countries may pose challenges to global health cooperation and solidarity
  • Maintaining a commitment to global health equity and human rights in the face of political challenges will be critical
• Debates around universal health coverage and the role of the private sector in healthcare delivery are likely to continue
  • Ensuring that universal health coverage efforts prioritize the needs of marginalized populations and promote health equity will be key
• Addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, and gender inequality, will be essential for achieving sustainable improvements in global health outcomes
  • This will require multisectoral collaboration and a focus on health in all policies