The Global Health Institute (GHI) identifies and facilitates opportunities for collaboration between Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) and major international health initiatives. The GHI is advised by the Global Health Council, which is chaired by SWAHS CEO, Associate Professor Steven Boyages, and is comprised of eminent health professionals from SWAHS, the Children's Hospital at Westmead and academics from the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney.

The GHI aims to:

• identify innovative research and policy that is enhancing global health and civil society
• address key issues that will help reduce the global burden of disease and enhance the health of nations
• develop programs that incorporate scientific information exchange, human capacity building and research
• encourage initiatives that tackle inequalities in socioeconomic status and access to health care in communities around the world.

Major Global Health Institute initiatives include:

• the Australian and New Zealand Flour Fortification Initiative (FFI) for the mandatory fortification of flour with folate to prevent serious neural tube defects
• participation in a Task Force to support health services in Vanuatu
• the Global Health Network of health professionals to share knowledge and expertise.