Comparative Health Policy in the Asia Pacific

"Dr. Gauld's collection of case studies is informative and accessible. I would recommend it as a central text for a course in comparative health systems." Political Studies Review Based upon research from eight countries in the Asia-Pacific -- Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan -- this book analyses and compares their differing health policies. Key issues the book probes include: * The ways that health care is financed and delivered across the region * The historical and institutional arrangements that impact upon health policy and health care * How the health systems differ between the countries under study * How policymakers and service providers deal with unlimited demand and limited funding and issues such as service coverage and quality * How pharmaceuticals and population health strategies are managed * What the roles of the state and various other players (such as the private sector and professional associations) are in the making of health policy and delivery of health care * The challenges that lie ahead for health care and health policy in the region Comparative Health Policy in the Asia-Pacific is key reading for students, researchers and policy makers with an interest in health policy. It is relevant to those studying medicine and health studies, anthropology, history, sociology, public policy, politics and Asian studies.

Robin Gauld, PhD, is the Associate Professor of Health Policy at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago. Previous books include Revolving Doors: New Zealand's Health Reforms (2001), The Hong Kong Health Sector: Development and Change (with Derek Gould) (2002) and Continuity amid Chaos: Health Care Management and Delivery in New Zealand (editor) (2003).