Global Health Essentials

This practical and handy textbook offers a succinct yet comprehensive overview of the main challenges, issues and solutions in global health in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 agenda. Subdivided into 11 parts, devoted each to a macro-topic, the book opens with an introduction to Global Health followed by an overview of the global burden of disease – from child and maternal health to communicable and non-communicable diseases. The authors further examine the social determinants of health, health systems’ features as well as innovations, governance and methods in Global Health. In consideration of the emerging discussions and ideas, and beyond the more traditional and essential elements of global health, the book also looks at the need to re-think the whole concept of global health and the importance of a “decolonized” approach that engages low and lower-middle countries fully. One entire part is then devoted to analyzing the major threats tothe health of humanity such as climate change, the need for an ecological approach to health (including “One Health” approaches), and, ultimately, planetary health. Written by an international panel of more than 100 experts, this manual will be an excellent resource for students in a broad range of disciplines – from medicine and other scientific studies to economics, social science, anthropology and international relations. Pragmatic and reader-friendly, it will further be a valuable tool for policymakers, program implementers and those wishing to build knowledge on the meaning, principles and practices of global health.