New Directions for Health and Health care

This is a very brief introduction to a series of short articles outlining some of the challenges and opportunities facing the health care sector. Many of the opportunities we are encountering have a lot to do with our ability to prevent disease and promote health through modification of our own health related behavior. In the short run it is very unlikely that health care costs can be moderated, let alone reduced, by changes in our systems of health care financing, health professions education and health services delilvery. However, the reduction in potential demand for services can be greatly affected by changes in how we view and and approach our use of tobacco; diet and exercise; approach our obesity problems, view our use of alcohol and recognize the affects of preventable injuries. All of these areas and many more hold the promise of greatly affecting the use and cost of health care. Communications through health information technologies will be a key to making changes that are effective.

These and many other issues will be discussed in this space. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions. Discussion of these issues in very much needed. New ideas and solutions are needed and very much valued!