Global health. The current scenario and future perspectives

315 understanding mental health in the modern world are discussed, which criticize hegemonic practices and present medium-term challenges for diverse societies. This section concludes with an innovative global approach linking human health and animal health in order to address problems arising from zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food insecurity. Health inequity is the central theme of the fourth section where selected issues are developed. Regarding migration and health, an interesting and differentiating perspective is presented as to essential public health functions and their relationship with the migratory process, prompting reflection on states’ response to the current regional migration crisis as well as healthcare system adaptation to this new reality. In substance use, there is a need to shift from an outdated “war on drugs” approach towards a flexible public health perspective focused on individuals rather than substances. The development and obstacles in achieving sexual and reproductive rights throughout history provide elements for constructing effective rights in different countries with emphasis on Chile’s ongoing constitutional process. Finally, in terms of social and cultural approaches toward the elderly, a paradigm shift at a global level is highlighted with particular focus on the concept of “active aging”. The last part of the book addresses organized societal responses to globalization-related problems. The pandemic has exposed weaknesses in healthcare systems, according to WHO parameters, but has also provided lessons for future health challenges. Regional or subregional initiatives concerning medicines and appropriate regulations are beneficial for public health. However, this is not always true for existing global intellectual property trade agreements. Additionally, the main findings of an international collaborative study on Global Health Diplomacy from a Chilean perspective are reported. This field remains relatively unexplored yet highly important. An analysis from a historical perspective explores how major disasters of various natures have contributed to shaping global initiatives aimed at improving their response. The section concludes with a review of the major problems and challenges that, particularly, the pandemic has posed in the vast field of health communication. This includes perspectives from multiple professional information producers as well as reception and adoption by diverse audiences, especially those who are more vulnerable. Successfully addressing present and future challenges in our societies requires structural transformations across practically all areas of human endeavor. Consequently, new models of development are needed to directly and indirectly tackle numerous diverse health problems, including those of a global dimension. We do not claim to be exhaustive, but our work at national, Latin American and global level should enable us to identify essential challenges