This work resulted from a conference held in 2003 that was jointly sponsored by the Rockefeller Archive Center and Quinnipiac University. Drawing upon perspectives from history philosophy and the social sciences as well as public health and medicine the authors in this volume examine and critique the role of Foundations most prominently the Rockefeller Foundation in promoting and expanding the development of Western medicine around the world during the 20th century. The first half of the book examines the historical involvement of philanthropic foundations in public heath basic medical research and related social and political issues. These studies range from an examination of the Rockefellers Foundations antimalaria campaigns to the involvement of Foundations in promoting eugenic ideology and population control. The second half of the book considers current situations in which philanthropic foundations are active in promoting public health and westernized medicine including consideration of the fight against AIDS in Africa the resurgence of tuberculosis as a major public health threat and the ongoing war against malaria. Finally the book concludes with thoughts on the future of health disease and public health by Peter C. Goldmark Jr. a former president of the Rockefeller Foundation. By considering issues of public health and health policy from a wide range of perspectives this book seeks to contribute both to our understanding of the past successes and failures of growing dominance of Westernized medicine over global health and to consider present and future possibilities for improving the delivery of health services to the population of the world.