Global health policy is the area of global public health concerned with decisions that translate evidence and political will into authoritative public agreement and interventions. Policies and interventions in the field incorporates vertical and horizontal approaches to solve transnational health issues which require the coordination and collaboration of multiple laws, policies governing bodies, and organizations.

Governance takes into account not only individual governments but also the need for the cooperation of different governing entities in an increasingly connected world, creasing a sense of collective responsibility when facing global health issues. It involves rules, norms, principles, and procedures to structure and cooperation, and it is effective only with the agreement and compliance of both governors and the governed.

Health diplomacy aims to capture these multi-level and multi-actor negotiation processes that shape and manage the global policy environment for health. Some academics say health diplomacy is less focused on the negotiation processes and more concerned with the efforts for improving health in the larger context of state interests.