Tackling inequalities in health: the Australian experience.

Abstract

Federal and state govermuents in Australia have embarked on a series of national initiatives which show a firm commitment to tackling social inequalities in health. The development ofnational goals and targets for health, for example, covers social and enviromental conditions and sets differential targets for specific social groups with very poor health status. In a complementary initiative, a wide ranging analysis of the health care system-the National Health Strategy-has as one ofits main objectives to improve the equitable impact of the health system. Where problems of access to and quality of services have been exposed, policies have been devised to deal with them. The exceptionally poor health of the Aboriginal counity has elicited cross party support for action. Resources have been allocated to implement the National Aboriginal Health Strategy: to improve living and working conditions, education, and employment opportunities. Britain can glean the Medicare administration directly, rather than the

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