Southern regionalisms, Global agendas: Innovating inclusive access to health, medicines and social protection in a context of social inequity

摘要

This Policy Brief highlights key findings from an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Department for International Development-funded international social policy research project examining the scope for enhancing the contributions of Southern multilateral regional organisations to inclusive social development in low-income contexts. ududQuestions guiding the project were:udud1 Are social policies and programmes of action on a regional scale by Southern regional groupings of countries instituting approaches for accessing health and medicines that meet the needs of all?udud2 What scope is there for strengthening regional health and social policy in the interests of poverty reduction, social equity and inclusive development?udud3 What needs to be done to strengthen regional approaches and policies in support of equitable access to health, medicines and social protection?ududThe principal focus of research was the regional health policies of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). This is because SADC and UNASUR have clear mandates in relation to health (and other social policies), and include many of the world’s most impoverished populations, for whom unfavourable access to basic health care and medicines is both a persistent obstacle and a key social determinant of morbidity and mortality.