The role of the European Union in global health: The EU’s self-perception(s) within the COVID-19 pandemic

Susan Bergner

Health Policy, 2023, vol. 127, issue C, 5-11

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the international system and the regional order in which the European Union (EU) aims to re-define its role in global health. The article seeks to tease out the role of the EU amidst the COVID-19 crisis by outlining three key dimensions: self-perception, external perception and performance. The paper contributes to the broader understanding of the EU's role in global health through a focus on its self-perception. This is examined by the conduct of interviews with EU representatives in 2021 and the analysis of EU press releases with reference to global health from 2014 to mid-March 2021. The results show that the EU mainly draws from a donor and provider role leaving a facilitating, partner or normative role underdeveloped – except for the EU's leading role in the context of the World Health Organisation. The COVID-19 pandemic is a driver for a more ambitious global political role. However, the main challenges identified by EU representatives constitute a lack of capacities and resources, insufficient backing by EU member states and a lack of coordination. The strongest EU conception in global health is seen when policy actions are based on multiple roles ranging from a provider and partner to a facilitating or normative role.

Keywords: Global health; European Union; COVID-19; Role theory; Perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:127:y:2023:i:c:p:5-11

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.10.006

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