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Document Type

Commentary

Abstract

During the past century, tremendous advances were made in reducing illness around the world. Many of these dramatic improvements in health status and life expectancy were the result of public health interventions such as clean water, better living conditions, prenatal care and immunizations. Nonetheless, with globalization and industrialization now increasing, significant health disparities still exist, both between nations and within them. Indeed, some 25 years after the historic Alma Ata primary care conference where the World Health Organization and leading non-governmental organizations called for "Health for All by the Year 2000," global health equity has yet to be achieved (PAHO, 2003). For example, HIV / AIDS, diarrheal disease, tuberculosis and other preventable infectious diseases continue to be leading causes of death for millions of people in developing countries (WHO, 1999). Likewise, although the gap is narrowing in infant mortality levels around the world, rates in Africa and South Asia continue to be four times higher than those in the West (UCSC, 2003). Also, while people can live to an average of 75 years in developed nations, many do not reach 30 years in some poor countries (U.N., 1999).

Publication Date

2004

Journal Title

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Volume

3

Issue

1

First Page

5

Last Page

8

Copyright

©2004 International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Included in

Public Health Commons

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