Public health funding mechanisms in New Zealand [Commentary by Rosalie Viney, pp. 115–117]

Abstract

The funding of population-based public health services (health protection, health promotionand disease prevention) has received little attention in the international literature on healthreforms, and yet these services are of fundamental importance to the health of populationsand to the economy. This article provides justification for health policy-makers placing moreemphasis on the level of public health funding compared with funding on personal healthservices, and accountability arrangements for its expenditure, when considering options toimprove the performance of their health sectors. The New Zealand experience of fundingpublic health services is described within the context of the health reforms. The strengths andweaknesses of the adopted approach are analysed.