Abstract
The H1N1 pandemic clearly reminded us that in health matters the world has become a neighborhood and that the consequences of events that take place far away may show up at our doorsteps.
The main message of this chapter is that, together with the SARS epidemic, the avian flu outbreak, and bioterrorism, the influenza pandemic has created an increased awareness around the need for health security in border regions. This concept, however, should be expanded to include not only the protection against external threats, but also the protection against the problems of access to health care and the financial consequences of disease.