Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health

Named a 2013 Doody’s Core Title!

With great timing, the editors of Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health offer a targeted and innovative strategy to combat global health problems. Balanced, comprehensive, and steeped in the historical traditions of human rights, the book persuasively moves the reader from abstract conceptions of inalienable human rights to evidence-based, pragmatic solutions that highlight the systematic integration of human rights principles in human development work."--PsycCRITIQUES

The human rights framework as eloquently described in this book offers a new way for us to think about how we approach our work: from deciding when and how to intervene, to how we plan, the goals we establish, and the metrics we use to gauge the success of our efforts. Public health instructors will find many of the chapters useful for illustrating, in very concrete ways, the link between human rights and public health, providing students (and practitioners) with a new framework for analyzing public health topics and for designing and evaluating interventions. Ultimately, civil rights and civil liberties are only of value when exercised. This book will contribute to the advance of human rights by leading increasing numbers of public health practitioners to advocate for, and promote, their realization.Score: 95, 4 stars --Doody’s Medical Reviews

Rights Based Approaches to Public Health provides a new perspective on addressing public health problems. It is an evidence based and cutting edge approach that provides important insights into solving ethical dilemmas. It is essential reading for anyone interested in ensuring health equity and justice.

At root, those working in health and human rights are both animated by a similar concern: the well-being of individuals and populations. The book will be an invaluable asset to both communities as they work to achieve their common goal.

From the foreword by Paul Hunt

UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health
(2002-2008)

Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health presents a variety of public health professionals who utilize rights-based approaches in their work, the challenges they face, and the lessons they have learned.

This expansive volume includes rights-based approaches with a variety of populations and across international settings. It explores environmental issues such as the right to clean air, water, and food. It examines the rights of the vulnerable, including women and children. It also includes work in difficult locations, such as prisons, high-conflict areas, and New Orleans post-Katrina. The useful tools and diverse case studies in this text provide the best models available for those interested in implementing or furthering a rights-based agenda.

Key Features:

• Contains an overview of the key international documents regarding the right to health
• Provides an exploration of the efficacy of rights-based approaches to health
• Covers professional and ethical issues in rights-based approaches
• Presents systemic and policy implications, including a rights-based approach to health care reform
• Includes global case studies from a wide variety of noted organizations and practitioners

Elvira Beracochea, MD. MPH, she is a speaker, writer and consultant and founder, president and CEO of MIDEGO, Inc., a consulting firm that provides innovative global public health and international development solutions for reaching the Millennium development goals.

Corey Weinstein, MD, CCHP, has practiced medicine in California for 35 years. In 1975 he co-founded the Hering Family Health Clinic in Berkeley. He is a founder of California Prison Focus, a 16 year old community based human rights organization that works with prisoners in California's high security prisons.

Dabney Evans, MPH, CHES is Executive Director of the Emory University Institute of Human Rights.