Original scientific paper
Counties Selecting Public Health Priorities –a »Bottom-up« Approach (Croatian Experience)
Selma Šogorić
Tea Vukušić Rukavina
Ognjen Brborović
Andro Vlahušić
Nino Žganec
Stjepan Orešković
Abstract
The subject of this paper is how to incorporate a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectored approach into development of public health policy and plans at the local (county) level in Croatia by educational program. Method used was the public health capacity building program »Health – Plan for it«, which was developed with the aim to assist the counties to overcome recognized weaknesses and introduce more effective and efficient local public health practices. Two main instruments were used: Local Public Health Practice Performance Measures Instrument, and Basic Priority Rating System. This program has helped counties to asses population health needs in a participatory manner, to plan for health and, ultimately, assure provision of the right kind and quality of services (better tailored to population health needs). This program’s benefits are going beyond and above the county level. It provides support for the Healthy Cities project locally, and facilitates changes in national policymaking body’s mindset that a »one-size-fits-all« approach is sufficient.
Keywords
public health; health policy development; decentralization; community health planning; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
4955
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2005.
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