prof. mr. dr. B.C.A. (Brigit) Toebes
Professor, Health Law in a Global Context
Research
Research interests
My research focuses on how international legal standard-setting instruments play a role in the protection of health. ‘International health law’ is not a well-developed branch of international law. The health-related standards are very fragmented and they lack adequate implementation by all the stakeholders in the health field. Moreover these standards insufficiently emphasise equitable access and distribution of health services, and the creation of overall fairness in health.
International law is potentially a powerful and essential weapon in strengthening health prevention and control. As the recent ebola crisis has demonstrated, health problems increasingly transcend borders. However, ebola and other infectious diseases are not the only health problems the world is facing today. We are witnessing a change in disease patterns, some of which are lifestyle-related; increasing health inequalities within and between nations; as well as the detrimental health effects of environmental degradation, climate change, urbanization and internal conflicts. Powerful actors such as the pharmaceutical industry but also the tobacco, food and beverage industries now structurally operate on a global level. All this is affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals worldwide, and especially those who are marginalized and disadvantaged. A stronger recognition of international health law is necessary to address these challenges in the health field.
Based on my 20 years of experience advancing human rights standards for the health field, my overall research goal is to lay out the theoretical and practical fundament for international health law. As such, my research is aimed at creating a better understanding of the nature and scope of international health law, and of how this field can be best employed to address global health injustices.
Publications
Covid-19 puts the spotlight on international law and Human Rights
Toebes, B., Sep-2020, Conquering Complexity: Perspectives on COVID-19 . Lammersma, J. & Faghihi, I. (eds.). Groningen: TEIMUN, p. 45-47 3 p. (The TEIMUN Journal; vol. 2020, no. 1).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Professional
Socioeconomic Health Inequalities in Europe: The Role of Law and Human Rights
Toebes, B., Sep-2020, The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Health Law. Orentlicher, D. & Hervey, T. (eds.). Oxford University Press, (Oxford handbooks online).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review
Conclusions
Toebes, B., Aug-2020, Human Rights and Tobacco Control. Gispen, M. E. & Toebes, B. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 266-275 9 p. (Elgar Studies in Health and the Law).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review
A renewed call for transdisciplinary action on NCDs
Toebes, B., Hesselman, M., Mierau, J. O. & van Dijk, J. P., 28-Aug-2020, In : BMC International Health and Human Rights. 20, 1, 6 p., 22.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Is there a European human rights approach to tobacco control?
Garde, A. & Toebes, B., Aug-2020, Human Rights and Tobacco Control. Gispen, M. E. & Toebes, B. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 80-97 18 p. (Elgar Studies in Health and the Law).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review
Datasets
CRC State reports "Tobacco control"
Gispen, M. E. (Data Manager), University of Groningen, 4-Mar-2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10411/RXZ8TI
Dataset
Prizes
Activities
Nacht van de dictatuur - technology and health
Brigit Toebes (Speaker)24-Sep-2020Activity: Talk or presentation › Popular
16th World Congress on Public Health
Brigit Toebes (Invited speaker)13-Oct-2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference › Academic
GHLG Summer School on Human Rights and Global Health Challenges
Natalie Schuck (Organiser), Brigit Toebes (Organiser), Meaghan Beyer (Organiser), Marlies Hesselman (Organiser), David Patterson (Organiser)6-Jul-2020 → 11-Jul-2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising an event › Academic
Press / Media
Vrijheid en privacy moeten soms wijken voor de volksgezondheid
04/09/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities › Popular
‘Je moet erbovenop zitten om de controle te houden’
26/08/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
Experts share insights into the right to health
19/08/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
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