The processes of globalisation are creating new threats to health and its determinants. Health issues that transcend national boundaries include environmental degradation and climate change, inequality and lifestyle changes, access to medicines and health knowledge as well as new and re-emerging diseases and varying capacities to address these threats. But globalisation has as much potential to create virtuous circles for health as it does vicious spirals.

Given the complexity of global health with its cross-disciplinary links to e.g. bio-medical research, economic development and trade, international relations and political science, education, and ecology as well as the equally influential roles of government, civil society actors and the private sector, enhancing good governance for global health will require an intensive and continuous dialogue.