The United Nations and its constituent institution the World Health Organization is no longer committed to health as a basic human right, argues Macdonald (emeritus, London Metropolitan U., UK), but has instead been corrupted by neoliberalism. He describes how the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have worked successfully to have the WHO's activities privatized, with disastrous consequences for human health. He looks at water privatization, the privatization of vaccine production, and the WHO's collaboration with the nuclear power industry in covering up the ongoing impacts of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown. He then offers the Cuban healthcare system as a counter-example of putting humanity and community values ahead of profit. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
