Discussion Forum

Global versus International Health

posted Mar 6, 2013, 10:03 AM by ckabiru@cartafrica.org

Verbatim copy: http://globalhealtheducation.org/Pages/GlobalvsInt.aspx

Global Health vs. International Health: What is the Difference?  

For many decades the term 'international health' has been used to describe health-related work in an international setting.  While 'international health' is still very much in use, those who work internationally are increasingly using the term 'global health' to characterize their field of activity. Reflecting this trend, in April 2005, the International Health Medical Education Consortium changed its name to Global Health Education Consortium.

The change from IH to GH begs an explanation as to how these clearly overlapping terms differ. Though the differences are more of emphasis than of substance, they reflect an important evolution in thinking about health issues in the world. We at GHEC propose the following distinctions:

'Global Health' relates to health issues and concerns that transcend national borders, class, race, ethnicity and culture.  The term stresses the commonality of health issues and which require a collective (partnership-based) action.

'International Health' relates more to health practices, policies and systems in countries other than one's own and stresses more the differences between countries than their commonalities.  It is a concept more focused on bilateral foreign aid activities than on collective action, to disease control in poor countries, and to medical missionary work.