Since human migrations began, germs have traveled with people, animals and traded goods. In an interconnected and mobile world, diseases such as HIV/AIDS and SARS can spread rapidly. Yet international cooperation through agencies such as the World Health Organization also allows for a collective response to global health threats and faster response times. Nations have developed diverse health care systems, aiming for cost-effective treatment. Yet the diverse systems contribute to disparities in global health, including availability of technology, pharmaceutical companies targeting innovations to maximize profits, and providers abandoning areas of need for higher salaries in the West, just to name a few.

“Made in China” Label Spurs Global Concern

A leading global exporter will reassure consumers abroad only when it has done so at home
Paul Mooney
August 23, 2007

Lessons from SARS

Spread of virus shows China's and Hong Kong's growing pains
Christine Loh
April 9, 2003

AIDS Threatens India’s Prosperity

Failure to rein in the epidemic could undermine India’s growth and affect its trading partners
Pramit Mitra
November 30, 2006

Vietnam Plays Wary Host to APEC

As host of the APEC summit, Vietnam grows nervous about bird flu
Thomas Abraham
November 16, 2006

The Sovereignty of Disease

Outbreaks of infectious disease demand rapid global response for monitoring and protection
David L. Heymann
June 6, 2006

HIV/AIDS: A Truly Global Response Needed For a Global Scourge

Power struggle over coordination of the global campaign must be ended to develop a unified strategy
Michael Merson
November 29, 2005

COVID-19 Tests World Image: New Statesman

Jeremy Cliffe
March 18, 2020

Second Wave of COVID-19 Cases: WSJ

Liza Lin and Joyu Wang
March 17, 2020

Anxious About COVID-19? Yale Medicine

Colleen Moriarty
March 17, 2020

Countries That Contained COVID-19: New York Times

Benjamin J. Cowling and Wey Wen Lim
March 15, 2020