Banking on Health

This book addresses the puzzle of why the World Bank was unable to effect sweeping neoliberal health reforms in Latin America from the 1980s onward. Through the use of quantitative regional data together with interview and archival data collected during fieldwork in Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and Washington DC, this book argues that the answer to this puzzle is twofold. First, the World Bank has not promoted a uniformly neoliberal, monolithic agenda in health. Second, countries' autonomy and capacity in this sector shape how the World Bank is involved in reforms. Finally, the book distinguishes neoliberal ends from means in health sector reform and traces changes in banking on health over time.

Complicates the implications of "neoliberalism" by suggesting that non-neoliberal ends can be brought about by neoliberal means Based on detailed case studies of the influence of the World Bank on health policy development and reform in three Latin American countries Grounded in empirical evidence such as quantitative data and case studies Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Shiri Noy is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Denison University, USA. She is the author of several articles on global health in Latin American Policy, Sociology of Development, and the International Journal of Comparative Sociology.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Globalization, Development, and Health.- 2. The State of Health in Latin America: Trends and Determinants of Health Expenditures.- 3. Argentina: Mixed Outcomes While Coping with Crisis in a Planner State.- 4. Peru: Slow, Steady Health Reform in a Weak State.- 5. Costa Rica: The Challenges of Maintaining Universalism in a Strong State.- 6. Neoliberalism and the World Bank's Changing Approach to Health.- 7. Conclusion: Más Mercado, Menos Estado? The World Bank, Neoliberalism, and Health Sector Reform in Latin America.