New Zealand has experienced an extraordinary amount of policy activity in the health field over the last decade. In a period of a little over fifteen years this country has pioneered policies in health promotion—smoking, AIDS—witnessed major controversies over the health conditions of key groups—women and Maori—and undertaken one of the most far-reaching programmes of health system restructuring of any country in the developed world.
Yet, while much has been described about the content of these policies, little has been said about what we can learn from this experience. The primary purpose of this book, therefore, is to place on the public record the key changes that have occurred in health policy over the last fifteen years and, from this rich case study material, to advance the study of health policy and draw conclusions, where possible, about both the process and content of policy-making in the health sector.
Contributors
Tables
Figures
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
General Introduction
I. The Analysis of Health Policy: Setting the Framework
Models and Theories - Tim Tenbensel and Robin Gauld
Policy Making: The ‘Messy Reality’ - John Martin and George Salmond
Rapuhia Mo Te Hauroa Maora - Chris Cunningham and Cindy Kiro
Research Strategies - David R. Thomas
II. Explaining Policy Choices: The Case of Health Restructuring
The Influence of Economic Theory - Toni Ashton
The Institutional Context - Miriam Laugesen
Agenda Setting and Policy Context - Robert H. Blank
Policy Implementation and Modification - Mary Finlayson
III. Some Case Studies in Health Policy:Mental Health
The Case of Deinstitutionalisation - Warwick Brunton
Policies for General Practice - Peter Crampton
Hospitals and Associated Services - Robin Gauld
Tobacco Control Policy - George Thomson and Nicholas Wilson
The Making of Alcohol Policy - Marten Hutt and Philippa Howden-Chapman
Conclusion: Lessons from the Experience of Health Policy in New Zealand
Glossary
Index
Peter Davis — Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago
Toni Ashton — Department of Community Health, University of Auckland
