Role of academia and professional associations in support of health for all

Abstract

Health for all is facing many challenges at present, such as increasing global population, the widening gap between the rich and poor and the inequitable distribution of health services. The World Health Organization has always recognized that the achievement of health for all required the input of many partners, not simply the ministries of health. This paper outlines the role academia and professional associations can play in supporting health for all. It discusses, in particular, the areas of intervention, such as training human resources, planning and setting health priorities and strategies and conducting health systems research.