Category: Blog

David H. Stone Radcliffe Publishing (April 2012) ISBN 9781846194719 254 pages $49.95 In The Growing Global Public Health Crisis and How to Address It, David Stone writes about the current state of global health and explains why such issues are relevant all countries. In a well-organized manner, Stone systematically covers some of the broadest areas of global public health, evidence from his introduction which defines his concept of global public…

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AlertNet reports that even amid government pledges to allow for easier access to food relief in areas of conflict around Sudan’s border states, aid groups believe these populations are still in danger of famine. The proposal was first suggested by a number of organizations, including the African Union, Arab League, and United Nations, in order to connect humanitarian aid to civilians in certain areas of Sudan. While Sudan did agree…

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The European Parliament’s rejection of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has been lauded as a positive move towards “ensuring continued access to affordable and essential drugs and medication essential for the fulfillment of the right to health,” according to a UNRI article.  This move was met with widespread approval by several NGOs that had long argued against the ACTA and by UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Anand…

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George J. Annas Oxford University Press (June 2011) ISBN 9780199840717 335 pages $24.95 Available at Amazon.com In Worst Case Bioethics: Death, Disaster, and Public Health, George Annas examines bioethics and ensuing policy through responses to the threat of crisis. In concentrating on bioethics responses towards avoiding or dealing with death and disaster, Annas explores the “radical changes in human rights, public health doctrine, and the application of constitutional law to…

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By Kathy Wang On June 28, the US Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), including one of its most controversial provisions: the individual mandate. Starting in 2014, most Americans will be obliged to have health insurance in some form, or else pay a tax penalty based upon their income. With the decision likely to have a major impact on the upcoming elections, the Harvard School…

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling for Libya’s electoral candidates to discuss their attitudes and plans to address the country’s widespread use of illegal detention and torture. HRW investigations have revealed that people who are officially detained are not charged with criminal offenses or brought before judges. The international advocacy NGO is pressuring the campaign to address its judicial policies and structure, and improve on the poor human rights situation…

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The AP recently reported that activists from more than 50 civil service organizations are lobbying the Ugandan Supreme Court to declare maternal mortality a violation of women’s rights. These organizations are receiving strong support from Ugandan women in a country where “more than 100 women die during childbirth each week.” The movement seeks to bring national attention to the inadequacy of health centers across Uganda and the lack of concerned…

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June 26 marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, a time to reflect on the victims and survivors of torture and support those campaigns working to end it. This is especially relevant in the health care field, where there has been a recognized problem of abuse, torture, and neglect in health facilities, especially to those of ethnic or sexual minorities, disabilities, or certain illnesses. In an effort…

Continue reading “OSI announces new manual and grants competition to fight abuse in health care”

Paul Farmer, editor-in-chief of Health and Human Rights and founding director of Partners in Health, delivered the principal commencement address at the College of the Holy Cross on May 25. In his speech, centered on a personal anecdote he dubbed “The Story of the Inhaler,” Farmer looked to impress upon the graduating class the inequality that exists in the world and every person’s obligation to combat it. He recounted a…

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By Heather Adams, Fellow, FXB Center for Health and Human Rights In 2012, 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys in the United States will be diagnosed with autism, a figure that exceeds the number of children who will be diagnosed with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.  Recent research findings estimate the annual cost of autism in the US at $126B. Yet this lifelong disorder attracts less than…

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