Health Services for Disadvantaged Groups

Abstract

In Chapter 2 it was pointed out that equity is the third important criterion in health service evaluation and policy development, together with effectiveness and efficiency. The principle of equity is a significant component in the World Health Organisation ‘Health for All’ strategy as adopted by the Commonwealth government in 1981. The prime objective of Health for All is universal accessibility to primary health care and supporting services. The Health for all strategy also aims to reduce the existing inequality in health status within the population, and to achieve a more equitable distribution of health services.