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
Toward Human Rights-Consistent Responses to Health Emergencies: What Is the Overlap between Core Right to Health Obligations and Core International Health Regulation Capacities?
Toebes, B., Forman, L. & Bartolini, G., Dec-2020, In : Health and Human Rights. 22, 2, p. 99-112 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Vrijheid en privacy moeten soms wijken voor de volksgezondheid
Toebes, B., 4-Sep-2020, In : Trouw. 2020Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Popular
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
Datasets
CRC State reports "Tobacco control"
Gispen, M. E. (Data Manager), Veraldi, J. (Data Collector), Beyer, M. (Data Collector), Rusli, N. (Editor) & Toebes, B. (Contributor), University of Groningen, 4-Mar-2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10411/RXZ8TI
Dataset
Prizes
Activities
First International Virtual Conference on "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Crisis and its Legal and Moral Liabilities related to Public Health Precaution"
Brigit Toebes (Invited speaker)
5-Nov-2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference › Academic
Mediating tensions between infectious disease control and individual rights
Brigit Toebes (Speaker)
12-Nov-2020Activity: Talk or presentation › Academic
The Alternative War on Drugs (Event)
Brigit Toebes (Member)
2020Activity: Membership › Membership of committee › Academic
Press / Media
Professor gezondheidsrecht Brigit Toebes van RUG: 'We moeten nadenken over verplichte vaccinatie in strijd tegen corona'
15/12/2020
2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
Privacywet belemmert testen zorgpersoneel
23/10/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
‘Je moet erbovenop zitten om de controle te houden’
26/08/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
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