The expanding importance of health as a global issue has focused attention on the value of applying the concept of Global Public Goods from economics to international health. The Global Public Goods for health concept considers 'goods' i.e. services, technologies and information, such as knowledge of an infectious disease outbreak or control of climate change, that are important for promoting the health of all populations and which are of benefit globally. Since these are 'public goods' there is often a lack of incentive to provide or feel responsible for them. The central challenge of the Global Public Goods for health concept is to ensure collective action at international level.

The main focus of this book is whether and how best Global Public Goods for health can be used to advance the health of poor populations. Written by experts from both the health, legal and economics worlds, Global Public Goods for Health develops the concept in relation to international health and health policy. Numerous case studies are used to illustrate the usefulness of the concept and consider the aspects of health that may be classed as Global Public Goods and how this helps to ensure their provision.