Introduction: Building Global Alliances IV: Global Health Challenges in a World Divided by Health Inequities.

The five papers following this introduction are based on presentations delivered at Building Global Alliances IV, Global Health Challenges in a World Divided by Health Inequities , sponsored by CGFNS International on December 3-4, 2007, in Philadelphia. Building Global Alliances IV provided opportunities to generate greater understanding of the local, national, and global ramifications of health inequities; the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); the effect of migration on the distribution of health professionals (particularly the issues posted by international nurse migration); and the impact of these issues on health care delivery systems.