With the decline of ideology, politicians have grown increasingly fond of the dictum 'What's best is what works.' This book is an excellent lesson on what works in health care -- or more precisely, on how to make what works work better, especially with respect to the involvement of the private sector. It should be on every health policy maker's desk.

The difference between maternal mortality in the industrialized and developing world is greater than any other development indicator. The apparent lack of progress in this area has generated a sense of hopelessness. Malaysia and Sri Lanka are two of the very few developing countries that have succeeded in reducing maternal mortality to levels comparable to many industrialized countries. This study provides the first comprehensive, in-depth analysis of the factors that contributed to maternal mortality decline in Malaysia and Sri Lanka over the last 50-60 years. It considers policy issues,...

Compared to most countries in Africa and to nearby islands in the Caribbean, most Latin American countries have not faced a full-scale AIDS epidemic yet. A number of recent trends suggest, however, that if Latin America does not take appropriate prevention measures soon, incidence levels could reach epidemic proportions. Sound and timely policies can limit the current and future impact of HIV/AIDS on Latin American health care systems, economies, and societies. Many countries in Latin America have shown their willingness to address the scope and special nature of the HIV/AIDS problem; since...

The stimulus of this study was the question as to whether current program strategies can reduce maternal mortality quicker than in the historically successful countries for Malaysia and Sari Lanka. Through cases studies, research and analysis of extent data of safe motherhood programs in seven countries, the answer is yes: lessons learned concern six factors associated with recent success in reducing maternal mortality. This book provides a thorough analysis of factors reducing maternal mortality through three retrospective case studies in China, Honduras and Zimbabwe; and four research...

South Asia is a region of contrasts, with impressive technological achievements but also more than 40 percent of the world's poor. These contrasts are evident in the health sector, which demonstrates large variations in health, nutrition, and fertility outcomes. 'Health Policy Research in South Asia' showcases some of the innovative qualitative and quantitative research methodologies being used in South Asia to provide empirical guidance for health sector reform and policy development. The four research areas presented are analysis of inequality, expenditure analysis, private sector analysis,...

Economists and public health specialists do not always understand one another, to the detriment of how health systems function. This collection of papers, spanning over 20 years of thinking and writing, aims to bring these disciplines closer together, through exploration of basic concepts, development of ways to think about such ideas as equity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the best way to finance health care, and empirical analyses of several interventions against specific diseases or health risks. 'Health Economics in Development' explains basic concepts, for the benefit of...

This report focuses on health sector reform and outlines some broad measures for reform in this sector. It evaluates policy options and presents the theory and evidence to support these policy choices. This report also offers specific proposals to improve health policy and strengthen implementation across India. It is a product of extensive consultation and research undertaken by more than a dozen institutions.