New social geographies are being formed that redefine how individuals and populations interact with each other. Trafficking of illicit drugs, cigarette smuggling, undocumented migration, money laundering and global climate change are transborder phenomena that are challenging the capacity of governments to effectively regulate them. Movement of people, other life forms, information, capital, goods and services has not only intensified across the borders of countries but, in some cases, has rendered national borders irrelevant. Globalisation affects how we perceive and experience physical or territorial space. I believe it is best defined in terms of three types of changes, 3 which have been occurring at unprecedented rates over the past few decades: The term “globalisation” has been misused and overused. Globalisation is highly contested on many fronts and will remain so. Nevertheless, it is crucial for us to understand and engage in such debates. 2 Such fierce disagreement can be bewildering and feel somewhat removed from the everyday work of health professionals at the coalface. posing severe threats to both people’s health and the health of the planet”. 1 In striking contrast, Fran Baum, Professor of Public Health at Flinders University, Adelaide, writes, “All the indications are that the current forms of globalisation are making the world a safe place for unfettered market liberalism and the consequent growth of inequities. Opinions on this are deeply divided: Richard Feachem, Director of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, acknowledges that the “risks and adverse consequences of globalisation must be confronted”, but argues that “they must not be allowed to obscure its overall positive impact on health and development”. However, the key debate among academics and policymakers remains whether globalisation is “good” or “bad” for our lives, and particularly for human health. The challenge is to determine how.ĭiscussion has focused extensively on the degree to which globalisation is happening (or not), its main drivers, and its actual timeframe. Statistics,epidemiology and research designĪs debate surrounding the impact of globalisation on our lives continues apace, punctuated by events such as the collapse of trade negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organization in Cancun, Mexico, in September 2003, there is an intuitive sense within the health community that it needs to roll up its sleeves and get more involved.Statistics, epidemiology and research design.