Gesundheitspolitik

The healthcare system, with its current problems and future prospects, is a hot topic in the political arena. Understanding the structures, actors, and principles of operation within the healthcare system is essential to engage in the political discussion about the future of this central sector of our society. Health policy is more than just the management and financing of healthcare services; it aims to improve the health status and quality of care for the entire population. This book analyzes institutions, norms, actors, and resource allocation concerning their actual and potential contributions to health policy, including prevention and healthcare services. It systematically integrates health science as well as social and political science aspects, always oriented towards the goals of efficiency and equality of opportunity. Topics include, among others: the history and types of health policy, prevention and health promotion, healthcare provision (outpatient, inpatient, and pharmaceutical care), rehabilitation and nursing, as well as current management issues in health policy. New in the 4th edition: How do new laws, regulations, and drafts from the last and current legislative periods affect the German healthcare system? Concrete examples illustrate these developments.