A Compendium of Papers on Health and Economic Development: Health or Wealth

摘要

This volume deals with the delicate relationship between health and economic development, expressed as a choice between health or wealth. It is the tenth volume in a series of works known collectively as the International Health Planning Methods Series. The series provides AID advisors and national health officials in developing countries with critically needed guidelines for incorporating health planning into national plans for economic development. This volume consists of three articles by recognized experts in the field of international health. The papers are: Health, Income Distribution, and Source of Health Expenditures in Developing Countries; A Systems Perspective on Health and Development; and Needed Development Research for Measuring the Health of Populations in the LDCs. The basic dilemma frequently expressed in the form of the following questions: Is economic development essential for improved health or is improved health required for economic development. These three papers point out that neither alternative is very promising unless supported by reliable assessments of local health needs and resources. A suggested middle path includes identification of specific health sector targets, upon which public spending can be concentrated to make a maximum impact upon overall health improvement.