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.

Echoes of Panic over Global Disease

Question health officials' worries over epidemics
Philip Bowring
February 17, 2004

Thailand Concedes Missteps on Bird Flu

Prime Minister Urges Transparency, Cooperation Following Denials of Outbreak
Alan Sipress
January 29, 2004

WHO, FAO Call for Global Fight to Halt Bird Flu

Bird flu continues to worry authorities
January 27, 2004

Thai Credibility Shattered by Deceit

Both the EU and the Thai public will find it difficult to trust the Thai government again
February 7, 2004

Chicken Exports: Watana Threatens Retaliation

Avian flu keeping Thai chickens off global market, changing lives of small farmers
February 4, 2004