Public health as a human right: the evolution of the concept from the early modern age to contemporary times

This thesis aims to investigate the development path undergone by the concept of public health from the early modern age to the contemporary times. The public health represented, and ever more today represents, a fundamental aspect concerning the daily life of each person within the society. The first chapter is characterised by a historical approach, focused on the health management in Venice during the plague pandemic. The focus dedicated to this port city is fundamental, due to the key role played by Venice as a forerunner in the health management, both from a political, social, economic and medical point of view. This first chapter analyses the policies, the information management, the international relations and the medical responses that the Venetian administration developed in order to deal with the plague pandemic. The second chapter adopts a social approach, defining public health both as an individual and as a collective right. This chapter will be characterised by a legislative and an international cooperation background. The third and last chapter will adopt a future oriented vision, proposing some examples of international responses and projects concerning public health management. In this chapter the ambitious project promoted by the European Union for a European Health Union (EHU) will be illustrated. This project aims at increasing the protection of public health for the European citizens through information management and member states cooperation. Furthermore, adopting a systemic perspective, the chapter will deal with the UN Agenda 2030, evidencing how some of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deal with public health issues.