The People's Health Movement (PHM) would like to invite civil society organizations, interested individuals and groups to participate in discussing the possibility of hosting such a campaign in South Africa. It would also contribute to building civil society for the Third People’s Health Assembly, planned for 2010 at an African venue (to be determined). This edition of Critical Health Perspectives sketches the background to the campaign and some of the thinking behind it.
Values, Policies and Rights
A global campaign for the right to health
People\'s Health Movement, South Africa
Citizen consumers? Using public services is not like shopping
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
A new British white paper on health suggests that patients should be offered more choice. However, visiting the doctor or phoning the police is simply not like shopping, according to people questioned for a new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which found that most of us reject the trend towards treating everyone as 'consumers'.
Developing a human rights-based approach to addressing maternal mortality
WHO (Mozambique)
This paper looks at how approaches based on human rights could accelerate a reduction in maternal mortality, drawing on evidence from case studies. It argues that, despite fifteen years of the global Safe Motherhood Initiative, maternal mortality rates are still high, and attributes this to the status of women, the systematic violation of women's human rights, and failing health systems. A rights-based approach could help policymakers to focus on the economic, social, cultural and political forces that make it harder for poor women to access maternal health care, and especially emergency obstetric care.
Policy Brief on WIPO development agenda and human rights, 3D
3D : Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy
A 3D Policy Brief has been released on "Intellectual Property, Development and Human Rights: How Human Rights Can Support Proposals for a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Development Agenda." It encourages advocates, policy-makers and WIPO Member States to elaborate an actionable, pro-development WIPO intellectual property agenda consistent with States' development commitments and human rights obligations. The Policy Brief is available in English, French and Spanish.
Stigma and its public health implications
Stigma processes have a dramatic and probably under-recognised effect on the distribution of life chances such as employment opportunities, housing, and access to medical care. We believe that under-recognition occurs because attempts to measure the impact of stigma have generally restricted analysis to one circumstance (eg, AIDS, obesity, race, or mental illness) and examined only one outcome (eg, earnings, self esteem, housing, or social interactions). If all stigmatised conditions were considered together and all outcomes examined we believe that stigma would be shown to have an enormous impact on people's lives.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Eldis health key issues
Aimed at policymakers, donors and practitioners working in health and beyond, this Eldis Health key issues guide reviews current policy issues and explores cutting-edge debates relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights. It also highlights current and future challenges for attaining greater levels of sexual and reproductive well-being, and considers the role of innovative technologies and approaches in achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
The Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument (HeRWAI)
Source : PHA-Exchange
The Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument (HeRWAI) is a strategic tool to enhance lobbying activities for better implementation of women's health rights. It can be used as a tool to analyse a wide range of policies, including those impacting but not directly addressing health issues. A HeRWAI analysis links what actually happens with what should happen according to the human rights obligations of a country. It examines local, national and international influences. The HeRWAI analysis consists of six steps, which analyse a policy that influences women's health rights. Each step consists of information and questions to guide the analysis.
End human rights violations against people with mental health disorders
WHO media release
The World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated International Human Rights Day, 10 December, to people with mental disorders and the all-too-prevalent violations of their basic human rights. People with mental disorders face an alarming range of human rights abuses in countries throughout the world, yet there are proven ways to dramatically improve the situation. Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding mental ill health are widespread. Despite the existence of effective treatments for mental disorders, there is a belief that they are untreatable or that people with mental disorders are difficult, not intelligent, or incapable of making decisions.
Integrating Equity into Health Information Systems: A Human Rights Approach to Health and Information
Bambas L (2005) Integrating Equity into Health Information Systems: A Human Rights Approach to Health and Information. PLoS Med 2(4): e102
One of the most fundamental human rights is the assumption that each person matters, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity—this is the tenet from which all other human rights flow. Another is that those who are most vulnerable deserve special protection. However, in many developing countries, vast numbers of children are born but never counted, and their health and welfare throughout their lives remains unknown. And because single-mean measures of population health mask inequalities among the best-off and worst-off, the health of vulnerable populations is not effectively documented and acknowledged. Health information systems can play an important role in supporting these rights by documenting and tracking health and health inequities, and by creating a platform for action and accountability.
A Human Rights Approach to Health and Information
Bambas L (2005) Integrating Equity into Health Information Systems: A Human Rights Approach to Health and Information. PLoS Med 2(4): e102
One of the most fundamental human rights is the assumption that each person matters, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity—this is the tenet from which all other human rights flow. Another is that those who are most vulnerable deserve special protection. However, in many developing countries, vast numbers of children are born but never counted, and their health and welfare throughout their lives remains unknown. And because single-mean measures of population health mask inequalities among the best-off and worst-off, the health of vulnerable populations is not effectively documented and acknowledged. Health information systems can play an important role in supporting these rights by documenting and tracking health and health inequities, and by creating a platform for action and accountability.