Whither Caribbean health

Presents selected data on the health status and health services in the Caribbean and alludes to some of the more urgent emerging problems. Discusses in a general way the determinants of the health status and explores the possible relationship between health and development, with emphasis on health development. Refers to issues such as the increasing cost of health care and the problems of distribution and accessibility that must be considered in the context of equity as well as the attendant problems of human resource availability. Attempts to make the case for attention to women and health as a development issue and produces examples of how health concerns and activities related to health have been addressed in a Caribbean context and how these contribute to the strengthening the integration process. Finally, makes suggestions as to which issues the commission might address and how it can do so most effectively (AU)

Health care to the year 2000 and beyond

Reviews the advances in health care for the period 1937-77 in which emphasis was placed on immunization, environmental sanitation and material services through the Primary Health Care (PHC) programme, but state that the approach was fragmented. Examines the post-1978 period and the influence of the World Health Assembly statement in shaping the PHC's approach. Its strategies include: community participation, intersectoral co-ordination, restructuring of the health care system, development of management and promotion of health services research. Emphasises the need for behavioural change in the community and in the health sector, decentralisation of the health care system, expansion of the role of hospitals and finding alternative financing for health care in order to achieve the goal(AU)