History

The history of global health has been shaped by pivotal developments centered around the control of infectious diseases and the evolution of healthcare systems worldwide. Initially, global health emerged from the domain of "tropical medicine," predominantly addressing health challenges in colonial contexts. Over time, as the world became increasingly interconnected through trade, travel, and migration, global health transcended imperial concerns to encompass a broader range of nations and international collaborations in health policymaking.

In the 19th century, major breakthroughs in medicine and public health were catalyzed by recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases like cholera. These crises led to significant advancements in epidemiology, with the identification of key microbial agents responsible for diseases such as malaria (1880) and tuberculosis (1882). The 20th century witnessed further medical progress, including the discovery of penicillin in the 1920s and the development of the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), marking critical milestones in disease prevention and treatment.

Following the devastation of World War II, global health cooperation gained momentum with the establishment of pivotal international organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO, founded in 1948 in response to a cholera epidemic in Egypt that claimed numerous lives, became a central pillar for coordinating global health efforts and setting priorities for health policy and research. Key initiatives like the WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines and the Alma Ata declaration (1978), which emphasized the importance of primary healthcare, laid essential foundations for equitable health systems globally. 

In the new millennium, the launch of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 represented a landmark commitment by the international community to address poverty, health disparities, education, and environmental sustainability. While progress was made under the MDGs, challenges remained, particularly in achieving maternal, newborn, and child health targets, highlighting persistent global health inequities.