Global Health Partnerships and the Brocher Declaration: Principles for Ethical Short-Term Engagements in Global...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Medical Ethics
• International Health Partnerships

Background:

• Short-term experiences in global health (STEGH), including medical missions, are popular but frequently lack sustainable benefits.
• Concerns include undermining local health systems, operating without licenses, and potential patient harm.
• There's a growing movement to "decolonize" global health and promote ethical, sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address concerns surrounding STEGH and establish guiding principles for ethical global health engagements.
• To introduce the Brocher Declaration as a framework for responsible STEGH practices.

Main Methods:

• The Advocacy for Global Health Partnerships (AGHP), a multi-sectoral coalition, was formed to address STEGH issues.
• AGHP developed the Brocher Declaration, outlining six core principles for ethical STEGH.

Main Results:

• The Brocher Declaration provides a framework for ethical and appropriate STEGH practices.
• Numerous organizations have adopted the Declaration to guide their global health efforts.
• The Declaration supports broader efforts towards equity and a critical reevaluation of volunteer-centric missions.

Conclusions:

• A new model of global health collaboration is needed, emphasizing shared innovation and ethical partnerships.
• Implementing the Brocher Declaration's principles can lead to more effective and equitable global health initiatives.
• Addressing the challenges of STEGH is crucial for improving global health outcomes.