AUTHOR=Laaser Ulrich , Dorey Stephen , Nurse Joanna TITLE=A Plea for Global Health Action Bottom-Up JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=4 YEAR=2016 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00241 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2016.00241 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=

This opinion piece focuses on global health action by hands-on bottom-up practice: initiation of an organizational framework and securing financial efficiency are – however – essential, both clearly a domain of well-trained public health professionals. Examples of action are cited in the four main areas of global threats: planetary climate change, global divides and inequity, global insecurity and violent conflicts, and global instability and financial crises. In conclusion, a stable health systems policy framework would greatly enhance success. However, such organizational framework dries out if not linked to public debates channeling fresh thoughts and controversial proposals: the structural stabilization is essential but has to serve not to dominate bottom-up activities. In other words, a horizontal management is required, a balanced equilibrium between bottom-up initiative and top-down support. Last but not least, rewarding voluntary and charity work by public acknowledgment is essential.