GLOBALIZATION AND HEALTH: The case of tropical and neglected diseases

This paper aims to review the impact of globalization on the determinants of illness-health and well-being and provides a look at possible mitigation actions. This paper is based upon on a systematic review of the literature largely from Latin America focusing on economic, cultural, technological, environmental-climatic and demographic determinants of health and well-being. Different interrelated processes of globalization are described. The analyses using predictive models document the interaction of social, cultural and economic factors governing illness-health and well-being and point to the key determinant of equity. Overall indicators of health decrease with the increase of socio-economic differentials within a given country. The processes of globalization have substantially changed the social and economic dynamics and directly affect health status. The mobility of people is a key factor influencing social, environmental and biological risk patterns. We observe a deterioration of health and an increase in social precariousness. This situation combined with the current climatic and ecosystem changes that enhance the transmission of tropical diseases (malaria, dengue), aggravate the health of large populations. The most promising perspective for reaching the Millennium Development Goals is seen in countries where a coherent strengthening of health systems has taken place. Thus, it is not only urgent to develop new tools for disease control (drugs and/or vaccines), but to strengthen health and social systems, which also combines the public and ecosystem health approaches within a given social, political, cultural and economic context.