Why health is imperative as a foundation of Danish development assistance.
In early 2000s, WHO documented that an investment in health brings growth and development. At the same time, the Danish development policy turned its focus on economic growth. Investment in health as foundation for development was not recognized and the role of health in the Danish development cooperation started diminishing. The new Danish strategy of 2012 introduced a rights-based approach but the fundamental role of health is still not recognized. Health is a fundamental human right and a foundation for realization of other human rights.