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Unlike earlier work in medical economics, which has focused on medical care, these ten papers stress the production and consequences of health itself. They reveal a serious concern with real-world health problems in their investigation of such subjects as infant mortality, life expectancy, morbidity, and disability. These papers are unusual, as well, in bringing to bear on these problems new and powerful theoretical and statistical tools. They draw on, and in some cases are, original sources for new bodies of data. As such, Economic Aspects of Health comprises a useful blend of relevance and r

Does government spend too little or too much on child care? How can education dollars be spent more efficiently? Should government's role in medical care increase or decrease? In this volume, social scientists, lawyers, and a physician explore the political, social, and economic forces that shape policies affecting human services. Four in-depth studies of human-service sectors?child care, education, medical care, and long-term care for the elderly?are followed by six cross-sector studies that stimulate new ways of thinking about human services through the application of economic theory, instit.

Este artículo aborda la economía de la salud como una ciencia del comportamiento y como insumo para la política y la investigación en servicios de la salud. Ilustras este papel dual con datos sobre publicaciones y citas de dos importantes revistas de economía de la salud y de tres reconocidos economistas de la salud norteamericanos. Cinco tópicos en economía, importantes y relativamente nuevos, se recomiendan a economistas de la salud que se enfocan en la economía como una ciencia de comportamiento. De igual modo, se dan sugerencias para los economistas de la salud en su papel de proveer insumos para la política de salud y la investigación sobre servicios de salud. También discute sobre las fortalezas y debilidades de la economía, el papel de los valores y el potencial de la investigación interdisciplinaria y multidisciplinaria. Además, presenta las razones por las cuales el autor piensa, que continuará una fuerte demanda por la economía de la salud. El artículo concluye con una exhortación dirigida principalmente a quienes ingresan recientemente a esta área. Palabras Clave: Economía de la salud, ciencia del comportamiento, política de salud, investigación en servicios de salud.

Abstract  This paper provides a few historical notes on government involvement in health, followed by a summary of the theoretical arguments that economists offer in its support. Irving Fisher's views and recommendations about health are examined in the light of today's perceptions concerning health, health economics, and health policy. The wide variety of roles that the U.S. and other governments currently play in health is reviewed, and the ability of economics to explain these roles is assessed. The consequences of government involvement for the health of populations, for expenditures on health care, and for political and social stability are examined. The paper concludes with an overview of new worldwide trends in health policy and some probable explanations for these trends.