A new strategy which sets out the way that the UK Government will work to improve the health of the world's population was launched today.

The five-year plan highlights the critical health challenges that the UK and the rest of the world face and provides a clear set of actions to respond to them.

Recognising that health is a global issue, with problems in poor countries impacting upon the lives of people in the UK, the strategy looks in particular at making world health more secure, establishing strong health systems within individual countries, enhancing the effectiveness of international health organisations, supporting fairer trade between countries, and improving the use of evidence to shape new policies.

Also addressed in the plan are new and neglected areas such as climate change, emerging diseases, the links between health, foreign policy and national security, and non-communicable diseases in low and middle income countries.

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Saving lives

Commenting on the launch, DFID Minister Gillian Merron spoke of the importance of a global approach to health:

"Our work on global health is about saving lives - helping people around the world to protect themselves from disease and ill health - and also protecting the UK.

"Problems which affect us on our doorsteps are often made worse by suffering in developing countries.

"That is why we have committed to spend £6 billion by 2015 to help fight disease and strengthen health support in developing countries and why improving health both at home and abroad will remain a top priority for this Government."

• Read Gillian Merron's full speech from the launch

'Health is Global: a UK Government Strategy' is available on the Department of Health's website.