We need a new world health order, post-G20

Monday, 17 November 2008
Fran Baum, David Woodward and Dave McCoy write:
In recent weeks, there has been magic in the air, and the previously impossible seemed possible. Following the election of Obama, in the wake of the financial crisis, some 400 international health academics, activists and officials recognised the possibility of a new economic order in which social justice is taken seriously.
The group had gathered at a meeting in London (hosted by the UK Department of Health) to discuss how to realise the recommendations from the recent report from the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH).
Opening the conference, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown impressed the audience with his stated commitment to global health equity, emphasising the need to strengthen, not weaken, our ambitions on global health in light of the current financial crisis.
This message, together with those of the CSDH report, offer clear directions for other G20 global leaders, including Kevin Rudd./.../