Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review
Abstract Background Sweden is a long-standing and significant contributor to overseas development aid. This commitment to global health and development is part of Sverigebilden, or the view of Sweden in the world that is formally promoted by the Swedish government. Sweden is seen by many in the glob...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Globalization and Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-019-0499-1 |
| _version_ | 1830355963385741312 |
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| author | Rachel Irwin |
| author_facet | Rachel Irwin |
| author_sort | Rachel Irwin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sweden is a long-standing and significant contributor to overseas development aid. This commitment to global health and development is part of Sverigebilden, or the view of Sweden in the world that is formally promoted by the Swedish government. Sweden is seen by many in the global health community as leader on human rights and health and has traditionally been one of the most engaged countries in multilateral affairs more broadly. Results This article places Sweden’s engagement in global health within the wider context of domestic changes, as well as transitions within the broader global health landscape in the post-World War Two (WWII)- era. In doing so, it reviews the globalization of health from a Swedish perspective. It also addresses broader questions about what it means for a country to be ‘active’ or ‘engaged’ in global health and responds to recent suggestions that Swedish influence in health has waned. The article finds that in Sweden there is wide political consensus that international development and global health engagement are important, and both are part of the maintenance of Sverigebilen. While there is a not one single Swedish approach to global health, there are norms and values that underpin global health engagement such as human rights, solidarity, equity and gender equality. A sustained focus on key issues, such as sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRHR), creates a tradition which feeds back into Sverigebilden. Conclusions The Swedish experience demonstrates the linkages between foreign and domestic policies with regard to international health and development, and to the globalization of public health practice and diplomacy. In global health Sverigebilden is tied to credibility. Sweden is able to exercise influence because of a successful welfare model and strong research traditions; conversely, long-standing and new threats to this credibility and to Sverigebilden pose challenges to Sweden’s future engagement in global health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T01:57:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c52792ca92764e99b3bd5db7610a2d2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1744-8603 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T01:57:56Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Globalization and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c52792ca92764e99b3bd5db7610a2d2b2022-12-21T19:57:26ZengBMCGlobalization and Health1744-86032019-11-0115111510.1186/s12992-019-0499-1Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical reviewRachel Irwin0Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences, Lund UniversityAbstract Background Sweden is a long-standing and significant contributor to overseas development aid. This commitment to global health and development is part of Sverigebilden, or the view of Sweden in the world that is formally promoted by the Swedish government. Sweden is seen by many in the global health community as leader on human rights and health and has traditionally been one of the most engaged countries in multilateral affairs more broadly. Results This article places Sweden’s engagement in global health within the wider context of domestic changes, as well as transitions within the broader global health landscape in the post-World War Two (WWII)- era. In doing so, it reviews the globalization of health from a Swedish perspective. It also addresses broader questions about what it means for a country to be ‘active’ or ‘engaged’ in global health and responds to recent suggestions that Swedish influence in health has waned. The article finds that in Sweden there is wide political consensus that international development and global health engagement are important, and both are part of the maintenance of Sverigebilen. While there is a not one single Swedish approach to global health, there are norms and values that underpin global health engagement such as human rights, solidarity, equity and gender equality. A sustained focus on key issues, such as sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRHR), creates a tradition which feeds back into Sverigebilden. Conclusions The Swedish experience demonstrates the linkages between foreign and domestic policies with regard to international health and development, and to the globalization of public health practice and diplomacy. In global health Sverigebilden is tied to credibility. Sweden is able to exercise influence because of a successful welfare model and strong research traditions; conversely, long-standing and new threats to this credibility and to Sverigebilden pose challenges to Sweden’s future engagement in global health.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-019-0499-1SwedenGlobal healthHistoryDiplomacyWelfare, development |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Irwin Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review Globalization and Health Sweden Global health History Diplomacy Welfare, development |
| title | Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review |
| title_full | Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review |
| title_fullStr | Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review |
| title_short | Sweden’s engagement in global health: a historical review |
| title_sort | sweden s engagement in global health a historical review |
| topic | Sweden Global health History Diplomacy Welfare, development |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-019-0499-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rachelirwin swedensengagementinglobalhealthahistoricalreview |