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
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
Urgent call for human rights guidance on diets and food systems
Buse, K., Patterson, D., Magnusson, R. & Toebes, B., 30-Oct-2019, BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP.Research output: Other contribution › Academic
Farmabedrijven moeten naar maatschappelijke zorgplicht handelen
Toebes, B. & Sluijs, J-K., 21-Sep-2019, In : Het Financieele dagblad.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
Law in the time of chronic disease
Toebes, B., 4-Jun-2019, Groningen: University of Groningen. Faculty of Law.Research output: Book/Report › Inaugural speech › Popular
Recht in tijden van chronische ziekten
Toebes, B., 4-Jun-2019, University of Groningen. Faculty of Law.Research output: Book/Report › Inaugural speech › Popular
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