Session: The Impact of Corruption on Public Health in Developing Countries
5044.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
Oral
The Impact of Corruption on Public Health in Developing Countries
One definition of corruption is “the of public office by state officials at a high level who unlawfully enrich themselves or those close to them on a grand scale.” High level corruption also encourages petty corruption. Corruption of all types damages the economy, discourages foreign assistance and erodes the expectation and behavior of citizens. Interacting patterns of corruption undermine efforts to improve health outcomes. According to the corruption perception index, 10 of the 34 most corrupt countries are in Africa 7 are in Asia, and all are nations with a heavy burden of disease. The Panel will discuss (a) corruption in Africa from the perspective of Assefaw Tekeste, former minister of health in Eritrea; (b) issues of measuring the impact of good governance on child morality by an economist, Emi Masaki; and (c) explore one possible solution to corruption through encouraging output based funding of selected health interventions by Malcolm Potts, the convener of the panel. Health professionals have both a need and an opportunity to take leadership in combating corruption. In this important but little explored area input from the audience will be strongly encouraged.
Learning Objectives: NA
See individual abstracts for presenting author's disclosure statement and author's information.
Moderator(s):Malcom Potts, MD, PhD, FRCOG
8:30 AMOrigins and Implications of Corruption in Africa
Assefaw Tekeste, MD, DRPH
8:50 AMPolitical determinants of health: Effects of political and institutional factors on infant mortality rates
Emiko Masaki, MA, MPH
9:10 AMA Partial Solution: Output-based Services
Malcom Potts, MD, PhD, FRCOG
Organized by:International Health
Endorsed by:Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of APHA; Socialist Caucus
CE Credits:CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing, Pharmacy

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA