Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #119668

Ellen R. Shaffer, PhD, MPH¹, Joseph E. Brenner, MA², and Kristen D. Smith, MPH¹. (1) Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH), 98 Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121-1437, 352-278-2123, kristensmith64@yahoo.com, (2) Center for Policy Analysis, 98 Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121

Global trade agreements are controversial. Current agreements present five key challenges to health: 1. They erode the authority of public health and other officials to protect the environment, food, and standards for safe health care and working conditions. 2. Regarding health care services, they promote privatization, and address the migration of health care professionals from a narrow commercial perspective rather than a systems view. 3. They present barriers to access to affordable medicines. 4. They promote inequitable economies rather than sustainable economic development. 5. They exclude democratic debate and decision-making by organizations that work to assure equitable public access to affordable health-related services and products, and to promote the health of individuals, communities, and populations. The Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH), APHA and other organizations are seeking to participate in global trade policy decisions.

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