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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Timothy Holtz, MD, MPH, Doctors for Global Health, Founding Member, Box 1761, Decatur, GA 30031, Thomas H. Gassert, MD, MSc, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 585 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA 01720, and Maureen McCue, MD, PhD, University of Iowa, 270 International Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, 319-828-4789, mickiq@earthlink.net.

Background: Evidence is growing that transnational corporations (TNCs) exert a profound impact on global human rights and health both through their control of key industries, and also as prime beneficiaries of international finance agreements. TNCs are economic entities that know no boundaries, are unattached to any one culture or community, and owe no loyalty to any government. We will discuss the impact of TNCs on health and human rights, particularly on the poor. Methods: Literature review, case reports, and NGO publications. Results: TNCs, together with leading International Financial Institutions and International Free Trade Agreements, often dictate investment, trade and labor policies in poorer developing nations that have both direct and indirect consequences on the health of people and the local environment. This is achieved by the increased control of goods and markets and of scientific research, and readiness to quickly shift investments to take advantage of cheaper labor and absent or relaxed regulations on health, labor rights, and environmental protection. With TNC-led globalization it is becoming ever more difficult for poorer developing nations to secure health and environmental protection, good health information, and fair judicial recourse when harmed. Recommendations: Public health professionals are increasingly challenged to act to help implement regulatory policies, and to conduct appropriate research on health outcomes, that would hold TNCs accountable and that would assure health and environmental protection. Specific recommendations will be offered for all stakeholders to help secure global upward harmonization and uniformity for protection of health and human rights.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

• Define what a transnational corporation is, and where they work.
• Describe what are international trade treaties, and how they preferentially favor transnational corporate investment.
• Describe the human rights issues concerning economic activity by transnational corporations.
• Critically analyze and describe the impact on health and human rights of economic activity by transnational corporations.

Keywords: Developing Countries, Economic Analysis

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Recorded presentation