Globalization, Health and the Global South: A Critical Approach

by Jimoh Amzat, Oliver Razum

Overview

Globalization is a form of social change, reshaping the socio-spatial milieu in which humans strive, and in which health and disease are managed and controlled. And yet the effects of globalization are distributed unevenly, with opportunities open for some but not for all.

Globalization, Health and the Global South is an important textbook for any student of this fascinating area. Examining the dynamics of globalization through the lens of the Global South, it highlights risks and vulnerabilities that affect different regions and contexts, exacerbating inequalities despite the continuing speed of global processes. The books takes a critical approach to the topic, offering readers a deep understanding of health discourses and discusses a range of key topics, including migrant health, the role of politics and diplomacy and the Coronavirus pandemic.

Including further reading and end of chapter discussion questions, this essential textbook will be important reading for students across the health and social sciences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000512830
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/30/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jimoh Amzat is a full Professor at the Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Nigeria, and Senior Research Associate at the Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He was a recipient of Erasmus Mundus scholarships (both as a graduate student and a visiting scholar) and Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship (Germany). His research work focuses on the African context of various health issues. Amzat has published books and numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Oliver Razum is full Professor and Dean of the School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Germany, where he also heads the Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health. His main research field is social epidemiology with a particular focus on the health of immigrants, and on the role of contextual factors in the production of health inequalities. He has published over 200 scientific papers and numerous book chapters.

Table of Contents

1.Conceptualizing Globalization and Health. 2.Many Faces of Globalization of Health. 3.Understanding Social and Global Determinants of Health. 4.Globalization and Health: A Theoretical Lens. 5.Globalization and the Rise of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Global South. 6.Globalization and Infectious Diseases in the Global South. 7.Globalization and Health: The Case of Coronavirus of 2019. 8.Global Health Politics and Diplomacy. 9.Globalization and Migrants' Health: A Global South Perspective. 10.Global Health Targets and Healthcare Situation in the Global South. 11.Global Health Initiatives in the Global South

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Kathryn A Ross, BS, MS (Haverford College)
Description: Narrated throughout 11 chapters, the book covers the multiple dimensions of globalization with particular consideration for the Global South. Each chapter includes an introduction, summary, critical thinking questions, and suggested reading list. Minimal tables and figures throughout the book organize text information and definitions for enhanced understanding. A full list of the tables and figures can be found at the beginning of the book following the table of contents and before the preface. References are listed at the end of each chapter and a thorough index is located at the end of the book.
Purpose: According to the authors, the book is a reference text to aid in the understanding of how globalization impacts health. The book is designed to be a teaching text for health social science and health science disciplines with application beyond the classroom for professionals involved in global health. The book provides a unique view of globalization from the perspective of the Global South that includes multiple perspectives on the effects of globalization and varying settings in which globalization has an impact. The objectives of advancing readers' knowledge and understanding of globalization carry significant worth and are met throughout the book.
Audience: The book is designed to aid students at varying levels of study, researchers, policymakers, and other professionals interested in globalization's impact on health. Due to the layout of the book and minimal learning aids, the book is best for students who already have prerequisite knowledge of public health, especially on the global sphere. With detailed explanations and critical assessments of globalization, the book is a useful tool for all intended audiences. Both authors have significant backgrounds in various health fields with numerous previous publications. Their credibility is complemented by their differing geographical locations and perspectives from both the Global North and Global South.
Features: As noted in the title, the book covers the effects of globalization on health and the various inequalities that affect diverse cultures and regions. Special focus is placed on the Global South detailing the health effects of varying disease outbreaks, migration, and policies. The summaries at the end of each chapter provide succinct bullets to ensure key points are understood and reinforced. Readers' engagement is demanded with a critical and provocative introduction at the beginning of the book. Aside from the sparsity of illustrations, the book is thorough with few detectable shortcomings.
Assessment: With a multifaceted approach to globalization and substantial references defined throughout, the book is illuminating and enjoyable to read. While there are many other books in the field of health globalization, this title has a uniquely critical approach that distinguishes it from the rest. This book provides useful concepts and critiques for anyone interested in the field of global health.

Doody's Review Service

Given the multidisciplinary character of globalisation and health, this textbook could be of use to a number of students in different disciplines from health social sciences to areas such as public health, bioethics and epidemiology. As an undergraduate student in International Relations and Development, this textbook would have served me well as an introduction to globalisation, encouraging me to take a critical approach to consider the myriad of factors that influence health. The final two chapters, Global Health Targets and the Global South and Global Health Initiatives in the Global South would be of particular interest to anyone studying in a similar field . . . The real strength of this textbook is its ability to explain sophisticated ideas in an accessible way, encouraging critical reflection from the reader. Overall, an excellent addition to many students' bookshelves, providing rich ground for interdisciplinary enquiry into globalisation and health. Sociology of Health and Illness

From the Publisher