An international meeting, 'Investment Strategies for Healthy Urban Communities', in Baltimore in September 1997 called on the the business community, city authorities and the health professions to reduce poverty and its adverse health consequences, especially in urban areas, in both the industrialized and developing world. In addition to issuing the Baltimore Charter on partnership for a healthy urban future, the meeting had two main outcomes: the innovative concept of Business for Health, championed by progressive business leaders from Australia, Europe and the United States, to promote business principles to reduce poverty, create enterprises and improve people's health, especially in developing countries; and the establishment by health professionals of an information network between cities and countries on poverty and ill-health. Two follow-up meetings in London in December 1997 resulted in an action plan to create networks of health professional groups and representatives of the business community.