Study on the health implications of trade agreements published

WHO and the World Trade Organization today launched a joint publication on the relation between trade rules and public health. The 172-page study is the first attempt at providing an analysis of how current trade agreements affect different aspects of health service provision and health policy development. It is meant as a primer for health professionals, trade negotiators, journalists and other interested parties. It focuses on 8 heath issues: food safety, tobacco, environment, access to drugs, health services, nutrition, and emerging issues (such as biotechnology). WTO agreements and public health can be obtained from publications@who.int