With the global community gearing up for World Health Day, informal dialogues can build partnerships to drive health policy.

The last stages of polio eradication suggest a new model of health campaigns much more responsive to global changes and local context.

A consultation with science policy stakeholders in Asia–Pacific throws up tensions between research priorities that link to science governance.

A greater commitment to multidisciplinary research, and to local problem solving, is essential to achieving future development goals.

Big scientific discoveries, such as the God particle, can have great Earthly potential that must be shared by the world's poor.

Efforts to promote sustainable development must tap into technologies developed locally, driven by community needs and priorities.

It's time to move from debate to action with new mechanisms for funding research into diseases faced by developing countries.

Efforts to limit publication of controversial bird flu research could end up doing more harm than good.

Science journalists must help to root out misleading scientific claims, but not without sensitivity to culture and the limitations of science.

The world is close to eradicating polio, but countries need consistent vigilance — including informed media coverage — to reach this goal.

Focussing on the steps needed to eradicate malaria, not just control it, can broaden and stimulate support for health research agendas.

A decision to delay, yet again, the destruction of smallpox virus stocks ignores the concerns of the developing world.

Developing countries must be given all the scientific, technical and legal help they need to counter the growing trade in fake medicines.

Nanotechnology for health should not suffer the same fate as GM — potential health and environmental hazards should be monitored and regulated early on.

Delivering on its 'science for development' promises will help the Obama administration regain trust within the developing world.

Integrating modern and traditional medicine requires breaking down the legal and regulatory barriers that disadvantage the poor.

Science can help design strategies to tackle malnutrition. The challenge is turning this knowledge into action.

Climate change's complex links with insect-borne disease need solid research — not alarmism that distracts from other crucial factors.

The prospects of a severe global swine flu pandemic appear to be diminishing. Informed reporting can take some of the credit.