"The Global Health Histories initiative was established by WHO in late 2004, with the aim of making a number of valuable contributions to this field. This volume is the first publication within the initiative. WHO is greatly indebted to its author, Dr Socrates Litsios, an eminent health historian whose long WHO career included the period covered by this work. He has dedicated much of the past few years to the huge task of researching and writing this book. WHO also acknowledges with thanks all those, including many former and current staff, who assisted him." - p. viii. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Global political, socioeconomic and institutional context -- Governing bodies -- General programme development -- Regional trends -- Promotion and development of research -- Strengthening health services -- Family health -- Health manpower development -- Prevention and control of communicable diseases -- Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases -- Prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic substances -- Environmental health -- Health statistics -- Health and biomedical information -- Epilogue : Alma-Ata : The International Conference on Primary Health Care.
Summary:
Understanding the history of health during the past 60 years helps us to respond to the health challenges of today. Sharing health knowledge inspired by history enriches global public health and benefits society at large. This volume offers insights into not only the Organization itself but also the political, social and economic background against which many far-reaching health decisions were made. It reflects the first five of the 'Mahler years', which saw growing support for the primary health care movement. Thirty years after Alma-Ata, that movement is once again much in evidence; primary health care is again a WHO priority, in a renewed, reinvigorated form.--Publisher's description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.