Government’s Social Responsibility for Public Health: Need for Institutionalization

The fact that the health of Ukraine’s people is rather poor proves the importance of substantiating the need for institutionalizing the government’s social responsibility for public health (GSR for PH) as a basic component of a health-oriented economy in modern conditions. The methodological approach to forming the GSR for PH institution is developed; within this approach the essence of the GSR for PH and its structure are defined, and theoretic approaches to forming the GSR for PH are suggested, as well as case studies for the GSR for PH and its diagnostication within a state, and rationale for and mechanisms of the GSR for PH institutionalization. The methodology of institutionalizing the GSR for PH is based on the institutional approach and the theory of health risk factors. The GSR for PH is presented as the obligations of a state, which are expressed in actions that are aimed at the socio-economic well-being and lifestyle of both the population and every individual as a carrier of health capital; ensure the safety and efficiency of human capital; provide environmental parameters for the actualization of human capital; characterize the organization of providing health care to the population, ensure its quality and accessibility. The analysis of the GSR for PH in Ukraine from the standpoint of the theory of health risk factors shows the inefficiency of state institutions responsible for maintaining public health; an institutional trap has been identified in some areas of the public health care system. In order to transform inefficient institutions, a mechanism for institutionalizing the GSR for PH is proposed, which includes regulatory, business, and information instruments; they coordinate the actions of economic entities in their interaction in such a way as to offset the negative impact of health risk factors, and enhance the positive impact, which contributes to increasing the government’s, employers’ and individuals’ responsibility for health at every level.