Health policy has undergone profound changes during the last few decades. Although health has for a long time been an issue in international relations, it was for most of the 20th century perceived as a national and technical matter. This meant that solutions to health problems were seen to require primarily scientific and technological collaboration rather than political commitment. Along with the dramatic changes associated with globalisation, health is increasingly seen as a higher priority on international political agendas. In Module 6, we discuss what triggered this political ‘revolution’ and its implications.