Comparative Health Policy

by Robert H. Blank, Viola Burau, Ellen Kuhlmann

A broad-ranging introduction to the provision, funding and governance of health care across a variety of systems. This revised fifth edition incorporates additional material on low/middle income countries, as well as broadened coverage relating to healthcare outside of hospitals and the ever-increasing diversity of the healthcare workforce today.

370 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ereel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on introduction to health policies. It was refreshing to see critiques of health systems and structures outside the developed Western world. Moreover, it was nice to read that the design of the health policy is influenced by the cultural context of the country. Really liked the further readings sections. Although, the book could've done with better structuring or different writing style.

Lessons learnt: Health policy designs is like playing Minecraft. There are many different ways to design your world and still achieve what you want. You can take ideas from others' worlds to successfully tackle some problems in your own. In the case of US, while spending lots of money on upgrades like better gear and areas, you would still suck because you failed to realize you are lonely and miserable and no amount of materialism can fix you. Best save your game, go for a walk and catch up with your friends. Social determinants of health matter.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well-researched and thorough review of different health policies. The author is clearly very knowledgeable; I just don't like his writing style. Come on, guy, I trust that you're smart and qualified, I don't need you impress me with your long-ass sentences and 50,000 different ways of saying "reform". Examples he gives are also quite jumpy, and references Germany, US, Netherlands, and Singapore a whole lot.