Globalization, Public Health, and International Law

Cruise tourism in the context of COVID-19: Dilemmas and solutions

“…Institutional overload and inconsistent standard-setting problems are already emerging in international health ( Taylor, 2003 ). Additionally, public health issues involved in trade/economy concerns face many barriers, such as institutional resistance and a lack of coordination and resources ( Sohn et al, 2004 ).…”

“…For countries that lack a strong central government to coordinate regulations and responses, the result is that different areas of the country will respond to a crisis in an uncoordinated manner. Trade activities also impact an individual nation's willingness to regulate public health and safety standards ( Sohn et al, 2004 ). These activities can generate friction for cooperation mechanisms, including international law, emphasizing information sharing, science-based decision-making, and equitable access to health resources ( Fidler, 2020 ).…”

Challenges and Approaches of the Global Governance of Public Health Under COVID-19

“…For the states short of a strong central government in the middle of the regulation, it is easy for the different areas of that state to respond to a crisis in an in-coordinate manner. Trade also impacts an individual nation's willingness to regulate public health and safety standards ( 30 ). These incentives generate friction for mechanisms of cooperation, including international law, that emphasize information sharing, science-based decision-making, and equitable access to health resources ( 16 ).…”

“…These treaties do not provide for any legal consequences or responsibility for non-compliance with those obligations ( 31 ). Problems of “institutional overload” and inconsistent standard setting are already emerging in international health ( 32 ), involving public health issues in trade concerns faces many barriers, including institutional resistance and a lack of coordination and resources ( 30 ). To balance health, trade and movement of people, IHR2005 empowers its members to enact laws to implement health policies in accordance with their own circumstances, on condition that they stick to the purposes of IHR2005 in accordance with article 3.4 of IHR2005.…”