The global fight against diseases--a race against time

Globalization is the new political theme of our time. But diseases and health problems never respected frontiers; treatment of diseases has for a long time been based on international experience, and health sciences and educations have been part of global networks. The League of Nations' global health organization was founded in 1923, and the successor, WHO, was born even before UN itself. The present and the following issue of the Bulletin, which is an English translation of a series of articles published in a special issue of Ugeskrift for Laeger, the journal of the Danish Medical Association, is different from normal issues, with its focus on the development of global diseases. Here appear the poor, the refugees and displaced, populations with limited access to international medical technology. A clear picture of the threatening perspectives of public health in major parts of the world's populations is drawn, in articles on patterns of development, urbanisation, dominant diseases, particular risk groups, and the need for a stronger effort. With figures, descriptions of trends, and cautious conclusions, the authors demonstrate the massive challenge, calling for empathy, resources, and action. This cannot be solved by proposing political toasts on the blessings of globalization, and charity shows on TV. There is--as traditions demand in health issues--a need for an international, professional effort, based on documentation, professional competence, and well-organized health programmes.