7592. Health and Human Rights

Human Rights are rights that every human being possesses on the basis of their common humanity that seek to protect human dignity and well-being. The international community has developed a number of human rights instruments setting out principles and norms which constitute the fundamental rights that individuals everywhere should be entitled to enjoy. These rights identify the specific obligations of states to respect, protect, and realize their contents. This course will explore ways in which human health and well-being are interrelated with human rights. It will study and assess the basic components of governmental obligations related to health under international human rights law. In addition, the course will consider the human rights dimensions of a variety of public health issues. It will also identify the ways in which a human rights approach can be used as an advocacy tool to improve the policies that shape the public's health and evaluate the extent to which litigation is an effective tool.