Abstract
This paper analyses the anti-health policies and programs that are being pursued by neoliberal governments on a global scale, and that are being sold to the public by labeling them as "health reforms." The role of epidemiologists in this situation is to strengthen opposition to these anti-health reforms by documenting their effects on preventive and therapeutic health services and on the health status of the population. Major difficulties in this regard are discussed. There is a great need for epidemiologists to move boldly forward to attack the major diseases that afflict the Americas today. Two examples of high-priority programs are discussed: the achievement of safe water supplies by newly developed, low-cost community-based initiatives, and the long over-due organization of effective campaigns against cardiovascular disease. The establishment of specific, concrete Health Objectives at all levels of government--national, state/provincial, and local--must become the central focus of public health policy and action throughout the Americas. Epidemiologists are urged to take leadership in advocating and achieving this fundamentally epidemiologic approach.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have