The World Bank and Global Health: Time for a Renewed Focus on Health Policy
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2014; 68(1): 1-2
2 Pages Posted: 22 Apr 2014
Date Written: January 2014
Abstract
In July 2013, Timothy Evans became Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank. Just last year, President Obama nominated Jim Yong Kim, a global health expert, as president of the World Bank. These choices both signify global health's ascendance in development practice and put the spotlight on global health in American foreign policy and international relations.
In an increasingly pluralistic and confused global health landscape, however, the World Bank, under new leadership, must map out and stick to a clear plan for global health impact, one that builds on and leverages its unique role in health and development policy and seizes opportunities in globalisation for global health equity. Some might question the World Bank's involvement in global health altogether and such critiques are worthy of investigation beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, however, that what follows argues that the World Bank does have a role in global health, one that requires significant focus for pronounced impact.
Keywords: World Bank, global health, health, health policy, global
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