This book is an extraordinary achievement. It includes a careful study of the political economy of HIV/AIDS and a clear explanation of the economic policies associated with neoliberalism and the IMF. Rowden shows that neoliberalism and IMF policies bear a significant responsibility for the limitations of health policies and budgets in the poor countries and, especially, for the insufficiencies of prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Alfredo Saad Filho, School of Oriental and African Studies

Occasionally, a book comes along that gives you a slap; a book that says 'you used to care, but you've gotten lazy: WAKE UP!' Rick Rowden's book is one of those books – a passionate, irresistible critique of neoliberal economics that enrages and educates in equal measure. Rowden has shown us why the IMF is bad for our health; the challenge now is for us to do something about it.

Andrew Harmer, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism provides a powerful, compelling analysis of the little-known impact of international financial institutions on countless people suffering without access to health services around the world. Rowden's passionate interrogation of the controversial macroeconomic policies embraced by the IMF is compelling and accessible, set against the high-stakes struggle for access to HIV treatment in developing countries. This book should be required reading at the IMF.

Asia Russell, Health GAP (Global Access Project)

Rick Rowden's 'The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism - How the IMF has Undermined Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS' is a masterful account of the little known link between ideologically distorted "mainstream" economic theories, IMF policies, and the deadly impact these can have on developing countries. An activist and an extremely well-read and informed student of economics, Rowden has woven a convincing and powerful tale of the human costs of bad theory and bad policy, especially in the area of public health and AIDs in the developing world. His is also an inspiring tale of how informed and dedicated activism can make a crucial difference to the lives of the least priveleged.

Gerald Epstein, University of Massachusetts

For far too long, public health activists have allowed development discussions to be dominated by economists. Rick Rowden has written a highly accessible volume that clearly links economic policies to poor health outcomes in developing countries. His clarion call to health activists to get involved in economic debates is an urgent one. His message is clear, neoliberalism kills. Real health improvements will only come by confronting and ultimately changing neoliberal strategies that continue to have far too much influence in international policy circles.

Howard Stein, University of Michigan

The timing of Rowden's superb book couldn't be better. The global financial crisis has diminished support for health programs by wealthy countries and development organizations at the same time as developing countries are facing deep fiscal crises and severe pressure from the IMF to reduce spending. Rowden's masterful work demonstrates the dangers associated with such policies, and provides health advocates with the information, arguments and motivation they need to win the battle against policies that, quite literally, kill.

Ilene Grabel, Josef Korbel, University of Denver