The challenges of health financing in five South Pacific countries

Health is a central development issue. Arrangements for health financing also have important implications for national and household budgets and broader macroeconomic conditions. The latest evidence from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu shows these five South Pacific countries have s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian-Pacific economic literature 2014-05, Vol.28 (1), p.29-46
Main Authors: Anderson, Ian, Ivatts, Susan, Somanathan, Aparnaa, Rolfe, Benjamin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Appropriations and expenditures
China
Diseases
Economic conditions
Economic development
Expenditures
Fiji
Financial theory
Health care expenditures
Health economics
Health expenditure
Households
Macroeconomics
Manycountries
Population growth
Public expenditure
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Studies
Tonga
Vanuatu
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Summary:Health is a central development issue. Arrangements for health financing also have important implications for national and household budgets and broader macroeconomic conditions. The latest evidence from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu shows these five South Pacific countries have substantial—and changing—health challenges, especially given rapid population growth and the rise of non‐communicable diseases. Yet each country faces important constraints to expanding public expenditure on health. Several options for obtaining better health outcomes from health expenditure are canvassed; improving technical and allocative efficiency is the most urgent, affordable, and practical option. An agenda for action is provided.
ISSN:0818-9935
1467-8411
DOI:10.1111/apel.12052