Globalization and the Diffusion of Ideas: Why We Should Acknowledge the Roots of Mainstream Ideas in Global Health

Document Type : Perspective

Authors

1 University of Montreal Hospital Centre-Research Centre (CR-CHUM), University of Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

2 Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

3 Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

4 Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Although globalization has created ample opportunities and spaces to share experiences and information, the diffusion of ideas, especially in global health, is primarily influenced by the unequal distribution of economic, political and scientific powers around the world. These ideas in global health are generally rooted in High-Income Countries (HICs), and then reach Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). We argue that acknowledging and addressing this invisible trend would contribute to a greater degree of open discussions in global health. This is expected to favor innovative, alternative, and culturally sound solutions for persistent health problems and reducing inequities.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 April 2014
  • Revise Date: 30 November 2014
  • Accept Date: 02 June 2014
  • First Publish Date: 02 June 2014

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