Background
The global health crisis

The world is currently facing a global health crisis, characterised by growing inequities and polarization. Despite medical advances and increasing average life expectancy, there is disturbing evidence of increasing disparities in health status among people worldwide. Enduring poverty with all its facets and, in addition, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and related problems are leading to reversals of previous health gains. This development is associated with widening gaps in income and shrinking access to social services as well as persistent racial and gender imbalances. From a number of countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe there are reports of growing morbidity and mortality among vulnerable sections of the population, including indigenous peoples. Traditional systems of knowledge and health, as well as well-established, social systems in the North, are under threat.