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
De rol en potentie van het internationaal recht in het reguleren van ongezond gedrag: mogelijke aanvullende internationale standaarden omtrent (on)gezond voedsel en alcohol in het licht van tabaksontmoediging
Gispen, M. E., Hesselman, M. & Toebes, B., 2018, Ongezond en (on)geoorloofd : Publiek- en privaatrecht & legale maar gezondheidsbedreigende producten en diensten . Keirse, A. L. M., Kool, R. S. B. & Ortlep, R. (eds.). Den Haag: Boom Juridische uitgevers, p. 237 253 p. (Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL); vol. 13).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review
Een rookvrije omgeving in het belang van het kind
Faber, T., Breunis, L. J., Been, J. V. & Toebes, B., 29-Jan-2020, In : TSG: Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic
The right to health and the privatization of national health systems: A case study of the Netherlands
Toebes, B., 30-Oct-2006, In : Health and Human Rights. 9, 1, p. 103-128 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review
Preface
Burci, G. L. & Toebes, B., 1-Jan-2018, Research handbook on global health law. Burci, G. L. & Toebes, B. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. xiii-xiiiResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Foreword/postscript › Academic
European Court of Human Rights
Hendriks, A. & Toebes, B., 1-Dec-2012, In : European Journal of Health Law. 19, 5, p. 515-523 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › 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
PhD defense committee Erna Kusumawati
Brigit Toebes (Examiner)13-Jan-2020Activity: Examination › Supervision of PhD students › Academic
Najaarsvergadering 2019
Brigit Toebes (Organiser)1-Nov-2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference › Academic
Heidelberg workwhop: international health governance
Brigit Toebes (Invited speaker)14-Nov-2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference › Academic
Press / Media
Law can help to make a healthy lifestyle accessible to everybody
03/12/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
De wet eist dat de overheid de gezondheid van burgers beschermt
05/10/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
Farmabedrijven moeten naar maatschappelijke zorgplicht handelen
23/09/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Professional
ID: 434732