Global health

Our economic system puts an excessive focus on generating economic wealth. Success is measured by profits or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, typically directing investment to activities with the largest economic returns, while the social and environmental impact only plays a subordinate role. This focus exacerbates social inequality in developed as well as in developing ... Read more

Pfizer Germany

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

WHO Foundation

Global Diet and Activity Research Group, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge

A pandemic is not just a brief shock but will affect societies and economies for an extended period of time. How must economic and social policies be adapted to ensure a functioning economy that serves human purposes first and foremost; and in which social prosperity and health are not just derivatives of economic growth?

The wealth of our societies is typically described in terms of economic growth, production and income. Yet, people would probably name good health as their most important goal, particularly under the current pandemic circumstances. Economic prosperity is intrinsically dependent on public health. Investments in healthcare and R&D, as well as in other social and health-promoting ... Read more

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations and Martin Schulz, President, Friedrich Ebert Foundation discussing the pandemic as a global problem, addressing global vaccine strategy and its fairness throughout the world.

Not only the fair distribution of vaccines against the coronavirus is currently a central challenge of the international community. Also, the establishment of effective and resilient public health systems including skilled personnel, disease prevention and monitoring, and access to treatments remain important for global health and pandemic preparedness. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the aggravating ... Read more

COVID-19 is a global challenge that can therefore only be solved globally. While the debate in the European Union has focused heavily on local and regional vaccine distribution, an essential key in winning the fight against the pandemic has been overlooked: we need a global vaccination strategy and global equitable access to a vaccine. At ... Read more