International health law: an emerging field of public international law

This article discusses the nature and scope of international health law as an emerging field of public international law. It is argued that the protection of health reflects a pressing social need that should now be spoken of in the vocabulary of international law. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for counterbalancing interests such as international trade, global commerce and the welfare interests of the protection of the health of both individuals and populations worldwide. As of now, international health law is not a well-developed field. The health-related standard-setting legal instruments are very fragmented as there is no overall international recognition of international health law as a distinct branch of international law. Enormous challenges lie ahead, especially in terms of strengthening the existing instruments and addressing the responsibilities of non-state actors in the health field.