AIMING FOR HEALTH GAIN IN THE UK

Health gain is a term describing an improvement in health status, aris ing from defined inputs. The focus on outcome is a welcome change from the traditional emphasis in the health sector on structures and proce ss of care. Inputs include the spectrum of health care from primary pr evention through to rehabilitation. The health gained from such interv entions depends on the effectiveness of care and the willingness parti cularly of doctors to change practice to aspects of care of known bene fit to patients. Relatively modest inputs in health care can lead to c onsiderable health gain. This has economic implications in a climate o f reducing resources for health care internationally. However at a pop ulation level, better health may result from inputs in sectors other t han health, particularly education, housing and higher employment rate s. The public also need a mechanism for becoming involved in the debat e about improving their health. The developments to support health gai n in the UK have opened up a challenging new era for the health servic es there.