In the United States as in the rest of the world, our healthcare systems are woefully inadequate, and the improvement of health is a shared challenge. The vision of the People’s Health Movement represents a way forward to create a world in which the cynical and shameful reality of health for all who can pay, is replaced by the achievable goal of health for all. This vision of health is not limited to the absence of illness, rather we see health as a general state of well-being. As such it is a fundamental human right, regardless of a person’s color, ethnic background, religion, gender, age, abilities, sexual orientation or class.

This workshop will include panel presentations and participatory activities to explore a vision of Health for All that we can achieve in the United States, and the rest of the world, that includes:
• Achieving high quality, universally accessible healthcare.
• Equity in and access to physical elements that determine our health – such as healthy food, safe and sufficient water, clear air, and decent housing.
• Addressing racism and other forms of social discrimination which affect the health of everyone.

Panel presentations include:
Healthcare for All is within our reach! Building a national single payer healthcare system that will cover everyone in the United States. Marilyn Clement, National Coordinator of Healthcare NOW! www.healthcare-now.org/ New York, NY (confirmed)

Health disparities and racism: How challenging racism and other social factors is key to achieving Health for All. Dr. Vijaya Hogan/ University of North Carolina (invited)

The People’s Charter for Health: A grassroots call for action. Dr. Hani Serag, Global Secretariat of the Peoples’ Health Movement www.phmovement.org Cairo, Egypt (confirmed)

Workshop / participatory discussion will explore:
 How the framework provided by the People’s Charter for Health can be used to integrate challenges to health confronting diverse cultural and geographic communities in the U.S.;
 How working toward Health for All creates opportunities for mobilization and solidarity, locally and globally;
 How sharing information and strategies about health organizing victories can inspire and nurture our movements for social change;
 How networking across social movements on the basis of Health for All supports both achievable, immediate goals and the egalitarian society we are building in the longer term.

Notes: The workshop will be conducted in English and handouts will be provided. Oral interpretation and handouts in Spanish can be provided.