Brown pledge over global health

The Prime Minister said there could "no worse time" to put ambitions on hold for dealing with health inequalities and helping the poor.

Speaking at a central London conference organised by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Mr Brown said some people would argue that the current period of global financial turbulence should mean ambitious plans are postponed.

"I believe there can be no worse time than this to turn back," he said.

"We will now successfully address the global problems we face only if we work together for global solutions."

He said that "president-elect Barack Obama is determined to play his part in addressing health inequalities around the world".

Mr Brown told delegates they were united in their belief that every child, man and woman, no matter what their birth or background, "should have the best chance of a healthy life".

But many countries lack the determination to address the world's problems on health, he said.

Huge challenges remain, such as tackling the unequal distribution of money and resources, he said.

Health is now indisputably a global issue and more needs to be done on expanding the international knowledge base on the social factors determining how healthy people's lives are.