|
There is little evidence that any country – including Australia – is developing effective solutions to the increasing challenges confronting national health care systems caused by the demographics of ageing, increasing consumer expectations, and the rapidly accelerating costs of new medical and health technologies.
In December 2002, Dr Martin Van Der Weyden, editor of the Australian Medical Journal, identified the need for an independent, national institute devoted to health policy research and development.1 He noted that, in 2003, less than three cents of every dollar that the NHMRC invested in new research was directed toward policy-relevant research. Australia remained an importer of policy ideas – relying on experiences in Canada, the USA, and the UK to develop policy solutions for Australian issues.
The business case for health policy reform is strong. Health spending is fast outstripping economic growth; it has grown from 8.1% of GDP in 1994-95 to 9.8% of GDP in 2004-5. Chronic disease accounts for approximately 70% of health spending, and much of this cost could be avoided if Australia invested in prevention and early intervention. About one in every 10 hospital admissions every year would be preventable if Australia invested more in keeping people healthy and treating people with chronic disease in the community.2
AIHPS provides a focal point for developing and disseminating research to encourage debate and inform policy-making. As a broad national institute with multiple partners, AIHPS can cross disciplinary and institutional boundaries to facilitate wide-ranging discussion about the issues facing our health system. Through its work and research program, AIHPS aims to stimulate further research, encourage debate, and explore solutions to Australia’s health policy issues.
1. Van Der Weyden, M. (2002). Australian health policy research and development: Where is it? (Editorial). Australian Medical Journal.
2. Arguments relating to the business case for Australian health reform were developed for AIHPS by Dr Sharon Willcox who spoke at the AIHPS Roundtable in August 2006 (Purchasing Prevention: Making Every Cent Count).
3. Arguments relating to the business and community case for Australian health and healthcare reform were developed for AIHPS by Dr Sharon Willcox, Prof Vivian Lin, Rebecca Watson and Prof Brian Oldenburg and who spoke at the AIHPS Roundtable in September 2007 (Time to Act: Healthcare Reform is Everybody's Business).
AIHPS Vision
Research streams overview
Work program
Governance and management
|
