The global health concept of the German government: strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities

Abstract

Recognising global health as a rapidly emerging policy field, the German federal government recently released a national concept note for global health politics (July 10, 2013). As the German government could have a significant impact on health globally by making a coherent, evidence-informed, and long-term commitment in this field, we offer an initial appraisal of the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for development recognised in this document. We conclude that the national concept is an important first step towards the implementation of a coherent global health policy. However, important gaps were identified in the areas of intellectual property rights and access to medicines. In addition, global health determinants such as trade, economic crises, and liberalisation as well as European Union issues such as the health of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are not adequately addressed. Furthermore, little information is provided about the establishment of instruments to ensure an effective inter-ministerial cooperation. Finally, because implementation aspects for the national concept are critical for the success of this initiative, we call upon the newly elected 2013 German government to formulate a global health strategy, which includes a concrete plan of action, a time scale, and measurable goals.

Pathogens, prejudice, and politics: the role of the global health community in the European refugee crisis

“…Many have readily engaged with and are actively contributing to improve the lives of displaced populations. 34,35 These many individuals and host communities reaffi rm a shared humanity and demonstrate a commitment to a more equal world.…”

Germany's expanding role in global health

“…It is not easy to track the origins of this shift in mindset because, with few exceptions, not much literature or analysis of Germany's role in global health exists. 9 As is the case for many countries, describing Germany's role in development cooperation for health and its contribution to international organisations is easier than exploring the full scope of its global health actions, which would include the impact of determinants of health and activities in sectors other than health, particularly areas such as equitable trade and finance, austerity, and migration policies. These contributions are made complex because they are also negotiated within an EU context.…”

“…10 Outside observers of governmental action in global health have therefore called for assurance that the German commitment to protection of human rights and sexual and reproductive health will remain strong, as will the commitment to poverty reduction and multilateralism. 9 Civil society networks like the German Platform for Global Health continue to urge for a strengthened strategic approach to coping with health inequalities within Germany, in Europe, and worldwide and are highly critical of the Germanyled policies on austerity, refugees, and migration within the EU. 11 Another concern is that other G20 ministerial meetings will adopt statements that could have a negative effect on health, especially in lowincome and middleincome countries.…”

“…By including migrant and refugee health in a revised global health strategy, Germany could make a determined contribution to global health by applying the concepts of "globalisation within" 89 or "global health starts at home", 9 with the appreciation that immigration is an organic component of the spatial unit of a social "one world". 90 Fully involving migrant nongovernmental organisations in strategy development efforts, rather than the development of policies about migrants, would be a clear step towards recognising migrant health as an inherent part of global health.…”

Empfehlungen zur akademischen Profilierung von Global Public Health in Deutschland

“…Die deutsche Bundesregierung legte im Juli 2013 erstmalig eine ressortübergreifende Strategie zur globalen Gesundheitspolitik unter dem Titel "Globale Gesundheitspolitik gestalten -gemeinsam handeln -Verantwortung wahrnehmen" vor [12], die von externen sowie internen Faktoren getrieben wurde [13]. Kritik an dieser Strategie wurde aber dahingehend geäußert, dass darin der Schutz der Bevölkerung in Deutschland fokussiert und somit nicht gleichrangig die Gesundheit von allen Menschen an jedem Ort berücksichtigt wird [14] sowie die Zielsetzungen nicht messbar sind [15]. Die Verantwortung Deutschlands für die globale Gesundheit formulierte der damalige Außenminister Guido Westerwelle explizit in der Eröffnungsveranstaltung des World Health Summit im Jahr 2013.…”