International Health Policy and Prospects (Geneva, Switzerland)

The Wagner School Summer Institute brings together faculty and students from the United States and other parts of the world for an on-site exploration of international health policy and prospects in Geneva, Switzerland. The site was chosen because it is the seat of major international organizations of the United Nations such as World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); major NGOs such as the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Council of Churches; and other intergovernmental bodies such as World Trade Organization (WTO), that have a direct bearing on international health.

Trade policy, global communications, major economic and political reforms, violence and wars and the threat of bioterrorism have had enormous effects on health status and well being. Concern for the spread of infectious diseases, increasing rates of chronic diseases and the effectiveness of health systems to provide quality care are among the daunting challenges to health leaders today. The aim of the International Health Policy and Prospects course is to provide students with a variety of opportunities to understand the trends in world health, the architecture of global health governance, and the effects of globalization on global and national health policy making in countries. Study visits with the staff of key international health organizations based in Geneva will provide the opportunity to hear first hand the challenges they face and explore their thinking on strategy and implementation of key programs to improve health worldwide.