Setting National Health Goals and Targets in the Context of a Fiscal Crisis: The Politics of Social Choice in New Zealand

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Beaglehole ◽  
Peter Davis

The setting of national health goals and targets in New Zealand has taken place in the context of fiscal crisis. The mandate for State intervention for social goals has also been under a sustained ideological challenge. These circumstances, together with other developments within the New Zealand health service, prepared the way for the development of the first set of health goals and targets. Six criteria were used to identify health problems for which goals and targets could be set. Ten areas were included, and specific, timed and quantified targets were set in each area for the year 2000 with shorter term targets for 1995. The Minister of Health gave priority to three areas: tobacco control, secondary prevention of cervical cancer, and reduction of road accident injury and death. An important aspect of the program is that the goals and targets are to be the focus of the annual contract between the Minister of Health (the primary funder of health care) and the Area Health Boards (the primary providers of health care). A matrix of policy options is presented for resource allocation and public health. The case study described represents one solution to the set of policy choices presented by fiscal and ideological challenge; the “new managerialism” has been allied with the “new public health.” The authors argue that a combination of ideological renewal and fiscal probity has preserved a vigorous role for the State in health and health care. This matrix of policy options also underlines the necessity to consider health outcomes, as well as organizational goals, in the evaluation of the performance of health systems.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-104
Author(s):  
Andrew Udy ◽  
◽  

The current global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has thrust intensive care medicine to the forefront of health care practice in Australia and New Zealand. Indeed, reports from other countries and jurisdictions convey highly confronting statistics about the scale of this public health emergency, particularly in terms of the demand on intensive care unit (ICU)services. Whether this occurs here remains to be seen, although if such a scenario does eventuate, it will represent an unprecedented challenge to our community. In parallel, these events offer the opportunity for greater coordination, improved communication, and innovation in clinical care, which are principles that in many ways define our specialty.


2019 ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
Edward L. Hunter

Improving the health of populations and communities requires all sorts of actors to be involved. This chapter looks at the importance of involving elected officials in collaboration for community health improvements. Elected officials can be important allies in efforts to achieve health goals at all levels of government it states, but these people are often overlooked as potential collaborators. In fact, the chapter notes, public health and health care partners can enhance the impact of cross-sector collaborations with greater awareness and preparation for working with elected officials. The chapter ends with some useful tips for engaging with public officials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C You ◽  
V Lissillour ◽  
A Lefébure

Abstract Background The increase of life expectancy creates critical health needs that developed countries health systems have to deal with. They are also confronted to persistent health inequalities. A common vision of these issues may not be shared by the health care professionals, decision-makers and citizens. In the context of the launch of new public health laws in France, the French School of Public Health (EHESP) decided to offer a MOOC entitled “Public Health and Health System: transition and transformation” (2019). Objectives The MOOC intends to raise awareness and increase understanding of public health challenges. It is designed for a wide audience of professionals, decision-makers and citizens in the French speaking world. The content was designed by a multidisciplinary team of academics from the EHESP (N = 50) and a network of health professionals (N = 21). The 6 modules address major themes of the recent health policies, e.g. social and territorial inequalities in health, health care security, health pathways, innovation or health democracy. Results Over the course of 6 consecutive weeks, almost 7800 people have enrolled in this e-learning. They are provided with short teaching videos (109 capsules of 4-5’) and webinars, have access to a number of supplementary reading material and a variety of self-assessment. Active learning is enhanced via forum involving peers and teaching staff. The full course represents around 20 hours of teaching. So far, completion rate has attained 13% which compares well with usual rate for MOOCs. Participants include a wide range of professionals, students and citizens from 87 different countries (72% from France) and 50% had a master or higher degree. The overall satisfaction rate is 98%. Conclusions This MOOC attracted the attention of a wide and diverse audience regarding the major public health issues. Some public health agencies have expressed interest in implementing the MOOC into their professional development program of their staff. Key messages Health system reforms are constantly implemented to face new public health challenges. A multidisciplinary MOOC can help raise awareness and understanding of the issue being addressed by new policies.


1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Thilo Kober

Cancer control in Australia has become a major social priority because of theincreasing impact of cancer on providers and users of health care. In recognition ofthis situation there is now an increased response by government agencies, non-governmentorganisations, health planners and the community at large to focus oncancer as part of a National Health Goals and Targets Strategy for better healthoutcomes in the next century. The following paper explores how the AustralianCancer Network effectively contributes to a national cancer control strategy.


1985 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan G. Ingham

What follows here is an essay—a rather one-sided viewpoint that is both tentative and, within the limits of a journal article, incomplete. I attempt to understand how our recent preoccupation with our bodies is being mobilized as one solution to the fiscal crisis of the welfare state. The deep-rooted assumptions of voluntarism that characterize liberal ideology, I claim, are surfacing again in the debate over lifestyle. And lifestyle, it appears, has become an ideological construction which diverts attention from the structural impediments to well-being by framing health issues in terms of personal, moral responsibilities—a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” alternative to state intervention in health care. Some implications of the lifestyle ideology for physical educationists are presented.


Author(s):  
Hari Walujo Sedjati

The research aimed to know problems policy health on Purbalingga district; province Central Java. Health planners have been more effective largely because of a policy regionalizing responsibility for the public health pure delivery assurance systems. Several kinds of health service provider’s hospital recommended by government for pure society in Purbalingga district. The Government as certain the efficiency and effectiveness of health services in public actors, these goals and options which frame a actor government Purbalingga district, choice in the health sector, are complicated by agreement over the criteria that determinant which patients are getting too much for pure society to health care. The policy Implementation goals to minimize mortalities and Invalid body for pure society in Purbalingga and policy health goals and standards are reached.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L James ◽  
S Menezes ◽  
S Lawrence ◽  
M Aranago

Abstract Issue The Canadian healthcare system is defined by universality, but unfortunately that does not extend to drugs outside of hospitals. Access to medication remains an area of inequity, fragmentation and system failure, with millions struggling with cost related non-adherence. This has created major implications for public health, limiting the health status of populations. Canada's inequitable system and the recent pursuit to fix it, provides an opportunity to examine ways of balancing public health goals and health systems reform in a country with established public and private care services. Background The government mandated the creation of a plan to improve access to medications. Stakeholder consultations ran from June -September 2018 and the Heart & Stroke Foundation (H&S) aimed to create policy recommendations that would improve population health outcomes and inequities. Research review and analysis determined the scope of the problem and viable solutions. Questions arose around whether a solution could improve equity and lower health care costs without dismantling the existing private system. Results Visionary principles led to the recommendation of a universal pharmacare program, designed to improve access to cost-effective medicines for all people in Canada regardless of geography, age, or ability to pay. A hybrid -program would include a robust common formulary for which the public payer is the first payer creating cost efficiencies. Top-up private insurance would result in less strain on the public system and maintain the presence of the existing private industry. Lessons Health charities have a unique role to play in creating innovative policy solutions that also serve patient interests. In order to advance public health, health charities need to maintain focus on equity and avoid policy development that is biased with conflict of interest. Key messages Canada is primed to implement a unique universal pharmacare program that addresses healthy inequities. Varied stakeholder interests can block public health goals.


2018 ◽  
pp. 154-177
Author(s):  
S. Srinivasan ◽  
Malini Aisola

Affordability, accessibility, availability, and rationality of medicines are a big challenge in India. Notwithstanding the tag of 'pharmacy of the developing world', the India story is one of poverty and poor access among plenty. The pharma market in India is riven by market failures due to asymmetries of various kinds: between patients, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies. Expecting the market to regulate itself will not work and proactive state intervention is necessary in pricing and provision of medicines and health care services to deal with the extraordinary crisis of public health in India.


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