Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Health Policy; in sickness and in health

Calnan, Michael .W. (2020) Health Policy; in sickness and in health. In: Ellison, Nick and Haux, Tina, eds. Handbook on Society and Social Policy. Elgar, pp. 306-320. ISBN 978-1-78811-351-9. E-ISBN 978-1-78811-352-6. (doi:10.4337/9781788113526.00031) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:81747)

PDF
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only
Contact us about this Publication
[thumbnail of Calnan Chapter 23 Watermarked.pdf]
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788113526.00031

Abstract

The focus in this chapter is on characterizing the nature of recent health policy initiatives and exploring the interplay of powerful structural interest groups which influence the shape of these policies. This chapter is made up of two parts, focusing initially on health service systems, particularly the National Health Service (NHS) in England, including some discussion of policies aimed at controlling the recent pandemic(Covid-19), but then moving upstream to social and public health policies specifically analysing the approach taken to social inequalities in health. Policy in the former area of organizational change is politicized and thus has been high on the policy agenda whereas in the latter area while social inequalities in health have widened, policy approaches have narrowed. However, the policies manifested in the two case studies of recent reforms in the NHS and public health approaches to social inequalities in health have much in common. Both have emphasized, at least until recently, the importance of the market and market principles, highlighting the salience of ‘choice’ for patients in selecting their health care and for the public in selecting their lifestyle. In general terms, both reflect the importance of neoliberal ideology in shaping health policy.

Item Type: Book section
DOI/Identification number: 10.4337/9781788113526.00031
Uncontrolled keywords: NHS, Health Policy,Privatisation, Social Inequalities in Health
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Michael Calnan
Date Deposited: 17 Jun 2020 15:15 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 14:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/81747 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.