The Intersections of International Human Rights, Public Health and Disadvantage
Yesterday, Dr. Elvira Beracochea was a guest lecturer in Dr. Melissa Stone’s International Political and Social Issues class at Montgomery college in Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Maryland. Dr. Beracochea’s lecture included a participatory approach and small group work activities that got the class thinking more deeply about the importance of the intersections of public health and human rights.
The objectives covered included:
- Debate human rights issues of international and social importance
- Understand the intersection of the main international legislation on human rights and health
- Appreciate the role of advocacy to fulfill our right to health
- Discuss your own advocacy approach
Dr. Beracochea has long been an advocate for rights-based approaches in global health. In teaching others, she has developed a list of important questions to ask when Assessing Right-Based Approaches in International Health:
- Is the issue, approach or the solution presented as rights issue or a need?
- Have the actors been identified?
- Are the duty bearers taking the leadership?
- Are the duty bearers transparent and accounting for progress and results?
- Are the right holders aware of their rights?
- Are the right holders participating in the approach?
- Is the approach based on the underlying causes of the right vulnerability of the right holders?
- Is the approach likely to bring sustainable results and community development?
- Is there engagement at various levels of the health system?
- Is the approach effective?
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