Public Health Planning a Study of Procedures based on Cases from New Zealand and the United States

Abstract

There is very little critical literature on public health planning. Most of what is available is replete with generalities, and case studies of success. But this literature provides little insight into the pressing need for better health service planning by both government and the private sector, and it provides little concrete guidance on how to plan and pitfalls to avoid for those needing help as they begin to plan in, hopefully, an orderly fashion. The aim of this book sis to fill partially the gap which exists in the literature. In doing this, the thesis is advanced that the public's health is too important to reply solely either on government or the private sector. The need exists for independent planning bodies covering both sectors which can competently focus in a reasonably objective manner on the health programme needs of the people, evaluate existing programmes, and formulate plans for programme development on which the citizens can exercise intelligent judgment and be assured that in the range of possibilities offered to them, the optimal is included.