Doctors, disease and demography--changing patterns.
Over the past century major shifts have occurred in causes of morbidity and mortality in the population. Improved environmental conditions and control of infectious diseases have led to the emergence of the "new epidemics" of the so-called societal diseases. At the same time, the population has aged significantly in demographic terms. The major challenges facing health care services now require significant reorientation in thinking, especially in terms of objectives, definition of roles, allocation of resources and planning for the future. This paper explores some of the challenges, the competing interests involved, and the economic, social and political context in which these issues have emerged proposes a model for seeking resolution.
D001315:Australia; D003710:Demography; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality