Simone Lawson
Global health diplomacy (GHD) is a relatively new field that describes the practices by which governments and non-state actors attempt to coordinate and orchestrate global policy solutions to improve global health. Since the end of the Cold War, health has become a prominent part of the global political agenda. However, the driving forces behind its expansion into new political spheres remain understudied and undertheorized. To address this, a conceptual approach to GHD has been proposed, consisting of three dimensions: features of institutions and the interests of various actors in GHD; the ideational environment in which GHD operates; and issue characteristics of the specific health concern entering foreign policy. These dimensions help identify variables that shape why certain health issues rise onto the foreign policy agenda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Features of institutions and the interests of various actors | GHD |
| Ideational environment in which GHD operates | GHD |
| Issue characteristics of the specific health concern entering foreign policy | GHD |
| Coordination and orchestration of global policy solutions to improve global health | GHD |
| Transcending diplomatic challenges | Global Health Diplomacy |
| Maintaining strong and mutually beneficial ties to other countries | Global Health Diplomacy |
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What You'll Learn
- Global health diplomacy (GHD) is a new field with no clear definition
- GHD is the practice of governments and non-state actors coordinating global policy solutions to improve global health
- GHD has three dimensions: features of institutions, the ideational environment, and issue characteristics
- GHD aims to understand how health is successfully positioned on the foreign policy agenda and the driving forces behind it
- GHD has become more diverse, addressing neglected tropical diseases, infectious diseases, counterfeit drugs, and more
Global health diplomacy (GHD) is a new field with no clear definition
Global health diplomacy (GHD) is a new field that has yet to be clearly defined. It describes the practices by which governments and non-state actors attempt to coordinate and orchestrate global policy solutions to improve global health. GHD has emerged as health issues have expanded into new political spheres since the end of the Cold War. Health has gone from a peripheral concern in foreign policy negotiations to a prominent place on the global political agenda.
Despite this rise in prominence, there is a lack of rigorous theorizing about GHD. The academic literature on the subject is fragmented and not clearly structured around key issues and their theoretical explanations. This is surprising given the richness of political interactions and the diversity of actors involved in global health. These actors include not only the World Health Organization (WHO) but also other international organizations such as the G8, G20, BRICS, and the EU.
The driving forces behind the expansion of health into new political spheres remain understudied and undertheorized. To address this gap, empirical studies have been conducted to propose conceptual approaches to GHD. These approaches consist of three dimensions: features of institutions and the interests of various actors in GHD; the ideational environment in which GHD operates; and issue characteristics of the specific health concern entering foreign policy.
Within each dimension, specific variables can be identified that, in combination, make up the explanatory power of the proposed approach. These approaches do not relate to or build upon a single social sciences, public health, or international relations (IR) theory. Instead, they can be seen as heuristic devices to identify dimensions and variables that may shape why certain health issues rise onto the foreign policy agenda.
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GHD is the practice of governments and non-state actors coordinating global policy solutions to improve global health
Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) is a relatively new field that has emerged as a critical component of foreign policy. GHD involves the coordination and orchestration of global policy solutions by governments and non-state actors to address diverse health challenges and improve global health outcomes. This interdisciplinary concept links health, international relations, diplomacy, and governance, with the recognition that health is integral to foreign policy agendas.
The rise of GHD can be traced back to the end of the Cold War, when health concerns transitioned from being peripheral in foreign policy negotiations to occupying a prominent position on the global political agenda. This shift has been driven by the intensification of globalization, increasing gaps between countries, and emerging health threats such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and influenza. As a result, health has become a priority for various actors outside the World Health Organization (WHO), influencing global policy for health determinants.
GHD operates within three dimensions: the features of institutions and the interests of various actors, the ideational environment, and the issue characteristics of specific health concerns entering foreign policy. These dimensions encompass a range of variables that shape the understanding of how and why health issues gain traction in foreign policy discussions. However, the field of GHD suffers from a lack of rigorous theorizing and fragmentation in the literature, requiring further exploration and synthesis of key issues and theoretical explanations.
The practice of GHD involves navigating complex interactions between diverse actors, including governments, non-state entities, and international organizations. It also entails addressing a wide range of health issues, from neglected tropical diseases and infectious diseases to the sale of unsafe drugs and brain drain crises. Additionally, GHD must contend with the geopolitical dimensions of health, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where vaccine access became a tool for geopolitical leverage.
In conclusion, GHD is a dynamic and evolving field that plays a crucial role in shaping global health outcomes. By coordinating global policy solutions, GHD strives to address diverse health challenges and improve the health and well-being of people worldwide. However, the ongoing development of this field underscores the need for further research, theoretical grounding, and comprehensive understanding to effectively tackle emerging health concerns in an increasingly interconnected world.
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GHD has three dimensions: features of institutions, the ideational environment, and issue characteristics
Global health diplomacy (GHD) is a relatively new field that has yet to be clearly defined. It describes the practices by which governments and non-state actors attempt to coordinate and orchestrate global policy solutions to improve global health.
The three dimensions of GHD are interconnected and shape why certain health issues rise onto the foreign policy agenda. By understanding these dimensions, we can better comprehend the conditions under which health is successfully positioned on the foreign policy agenda. This knowledge can inform the development of global health policies and strategies, such as the UK's "Health is Global" strategy, and improve global health outcomes.
While the integration of health into foreign policy has gained prominence since the end of the Cold War, the driving forces behind its expansion remain complex and multifaceted. Further research and academic work are needed to comprehensively examine and synthesize the theorization of GHD and its impact on global health outcomes.
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GHD aims to understand how health is successfully positioned on the foreign policy agenda and the driving forces behind it
Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) is a relatively new field that describes the practices by which governments and non-state actors attempt to coordinate and orchestrate global policy solutions to improve global health. Since the end of the Cold War, health has gone from a peripheral concern in foreign policy negotiations to a prominent place on the global political agenda.
The first dimension, features of institutions and the interests of various actors, considers the role of governments, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders in shaping global health policies. It examines how these actors represent and pursue their interests in the GHD arena, including their motivations, strategies, and interactions.
The second dimension, the ideational environment, refers to the prevailing ideas, norms, and values that influence GHD. This includes humanitarian ideals, global health security, and the increasing recognition of health as a fundamental human right. Understanding the ideational environment helps explain why certain health issues gain prominence over others and how they are framed in policy discussions.
The third dimension focuses on the issue characteristics of specific health concerns. It involves understanding the nature and severity of health issues, such as infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, or non-communicable diseases, and how these characteristics influence their inclusion in foreign policy agendas. It also considers the potential impact of these health issues on global populations, economies, and social stability.
By examining these three dimensions, GHD seeks to identify the variables and driving forces that shape the integration of health into foreign policy. This knowledge can inform more effective strategies for addressing global health challenges and ensuring that health remains a priority on the foreign policy agenda.
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GHD has become more diverse, addressing neglected tropical diseases, infectious diseases, counterfeit drugs, and more
Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) is a relatively new field that has yet to be clearly defined. It describes the practices by which governments and non-state actors attempt to coordinate and orchestrate global policy solutions to improve global health.
Since the end of the Cold War, health has become a prominent feature on the global political agenda. The driving forces behind its expansion into new political spheres remain understudied and undertheorized. GHD has become more diverse, addressing a range of issues, including neglected tropical diseases, infectious diseases, and the sale of unsafe, counterfeit drugs. The actors involved in GHD have widened, and their interests appeal not only to traditional humanitarian ideals associated with health but also to the principles grounded in national and global security.
The rise of GHD can be attributed to the intensification of globalization and the increasing gaps between countries, which have brought new and re-emerging health threats such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, and severe acute respiratory syndrome. GHD aims to address these diverse health challenges through global policy coordination.
The health problems addressed by GHD range from neglected tropical diseases to the issue of counterfeit drugs. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of infections that predominantly affect individuals in low-income regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These diseases have long been neglected in terms of research and development, receiving less attention and funding compared to other diseases. Through GHD, efforts are made to bring attention and resources to combat these NTDs, reduce their impact on affected communities, and improve global health equity.
The issue of counterfeit drugs is another critical area addressed by GHD. The sale and distribution of unsafe and counterfeit medications pose significant risks to public health and undermine the effectiveness of disease treatment and prevention efforts. GHD plays a crucial role in coordinating global efforts to combat this issue, developing strategies to detect, prevent, and eradicate the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs, and promoting access to safe and effective medications worldwide.
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