health policy - James W. Björkman;Christa Altenstetter

The volume is divided into six sections and within each section the articles are presented chronologically. Thus the selection is suitable for both the beginner and the more advanced student; the beginner will benefit from the earlier readings by observing their cumulative impact on later writings, while the more advanced student may find the more up-to-date articles of particular interest. Section I introduces several basic values which underlie all health policies; section II reviews the socio-economic and political factors in health policy; section III deals with the experience and practice of American health care while section IV offers comparisons with other countries in Europe and also with Japan. Section V examines the opportunities and constraints for countries' learning from each other and finally section VI raises methodological issues and indicates the challenges which must be addressed in the future.