Concepts and Practice of Humanitarian Medicine

by Gunn, S. William A.; Masellis, Michele

• ISBN13: 9780387722634
• ISBN10: 0387722637
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-12-14
• Publisher: Springer Nature

Summary

As major events like war, epidemics, and climate change continue to push global health issues to the fore, the international medical community is called upon more than ever to address the needs of the most vulnerable. Concepts and Practice of Humanitarian Medicine brings public health and human rights concerns together, uniting medical, scientific, sociopolitical, and historical perspectives to reaffirm this vision. Forty-one essays from 33 international contributors set out the principles of humanitarian medicine, beginning with the concept of health as a human right, and examining topics such as quality of life, torture, and nuclear conflict. The book draws on important treaties and conventions throughout the history of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and pays tribute to the efforts of individuals and organizations working to correct health inequities worldwide. A sampling of the topics: The potential of humanitarian medicine in torture prevention and intervention. The varied roles of international and nongovernmental agencies in humanitarian medicine. Critical issues specific to women, children, migrants, refugees, and the poor. Health effects in an increasingly nuclear world. Applications of humanitarian medicine in specialized areas such as heart surgery and trauma. Already acclaimed when first published as the pioneering book, Humanitarian Medicine, this new edition includes 14 additional thought-provoking chapters. The contributors are all major world figures in health and human rights, including Nobel Laureates Kofi Annan and Sir Joseph Rotblat. For those committed to the new health frontiers around the world-particularly researchers, professionals, social scientist, and policymakers in public health, global health, and human rights-Concepts and Practice of Humanitarian Medicine is both informative and empowering reading. Book jacket.

Author Biography

S. William A. Gunn is co-editor of Understanding the Global Dimensions of Health (published 2005). He is formerly head of WHO Emergency Relief Operations, and currently President of the IAHM and editor of the Journal of Humanitarian Medicine.Michele Masellis is a surgeon specializing in burn therapy, reconstructive surgery, and international health. He is Director of the IAHM.

Table of Contents

The Contributors	p. xv
Preamble	p. xix
The Fundamentals: Human Rights and Health
The Right to Health	p. 3
Health and Human Rights-A Public Health Perspective	p. 9
Health for All or Hell for All? The Role of Leadership in Health Equity	p. 15
The Declaration of Alma-Ata on Primary Health Care	p. 21
Health and Human Rights: In 25 Questions and Answers	p. 25
Freedom from Fear for Human Well-being: The Need for Humanitarian Medicine in the Prevention of Torture and the Treatment of its Survivors	p. 45
Humanitarian Medicine
Humanitarian Medicine: A Vision and Action	p. 57
Ethical Principles for Everyone in Health Care	p. 67
Quality of Life and Medical Practice	p. 79
Medical Contributors to Social Progress: A Significant Aspect of Humanitarian Medicine	p. 83
Humanitarian Medicine Applied in a Highly Specialized Field: Cardiovascular Surgery	p. 93
Humanitarian Medicine for a Developing Country: Outreach to Cuba	p. 99
Humanitarian Basic Plastic Surgery	p. 107
International, UN and WHO Cooperation
Find New Unity	p. 117
Health and Human Rights in International Legal Instruments	p. 119
The United Nations Today: Changes in Policies and Structures-The World Summit and UN Reform	p. 123
The Critical News Stories You Never Read	p. 131
United Nations Humanitarian Action and the Role of Non-governmental Organizations	p. 133
The UN Founding Fathers and Dr Chisholm	p. 137
Brock Chisholm-Doctor to the World	p. 141
The Language of International Humanitarian Action: A Brief Terminology	p. 143
Disasters and Conflicts
Humanitarian Action in Major Emergencies	p. 153
The Humanitarian Postulate in Disaster Management	p. 157
Health and Social Issues of Migrants and Refugees	p. 163
Man-Conceived Disasters	p. 175
The Nuclear Issue and Pugwash	p. 177
Quantifiable Effects of Nuclear Conflict on Health and Society	p. 185
Avoidable Tragedy Post-Chernobyl-A Critical Analysis	p. 195
Science, Research and Perspectives
The Role of Science to Improve the Quality of Life: Reflections on the Post-Genomic Era	p. 211
The Ethics of Research: The Responsibility of the Researcher	p. 223
The Cost of Not Doing Health Research	p. 231
Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of Medicine	p. 237
Scientists, Doctors and the Nuclear Dilemma	p. 241
Serving the Global Community Through eHealth: The Role of Academia	p. 245
Society, Health and Equity
The Humanization of Medicine-A Religious Viewpoint	p. 225
Urban Social Exclusion-The Samusocial Response	p. 261
Social and Medical Progress Through Patient Education in Chronic Diseases	p. 267
An Equitable Society Protects the Health of its Weakest Members: Women and Children	p. 277
The Humanitarian Force of the UN Millennium Development Goals	p. 289
Science and the Health of the Poor	p. 299
Poverty and Disease-Health and Prosperity	p. 303
The Editors	p. 309
Index	p. 311
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