Globalisation and health

The phrase, “it's a small world,” emphasises that the concept of globalisation is no longer a mere vision, but reality. The exchange of personnel, information, and commodities between nations has never been easier. So, it is important to consider the potential ramifications of this global evolution to ensure that the process by which it occurs is beneficial for the health of the planet; the health of individual nations; and, most importantly, the health of people.

The term “globalisation” first appeared in literature in the mid-1980s. A commonly held definition states that “globalisation involves a profound and worldwide shift in economic, geographic, cultural, and social relations.”^w1 It is also the process whereby national and international policy makers promote domestic deregulation and external liberalisation, ultimately affecting the planet's political, economic, and social structure.^w2