Globalisation and health inequalities: Can a human rights paradigm create space for civil society action?

► A neglected aspect of health systems analysis is the role of human rights approaches in strengthening pro-poor protections. ► Human rights paradigms can strengthen parliamentary oversight over the executive to advance health equity. ► Human rights paradigms can enable civil society agency critical to hold states accountable for the right to health. ► 'Cunning states' selectively disown accountability for socio-economic rights under diffused systems of global governance. ► By increasing state accountability, human rights can counter the negative consequences of globalization for health equity.