Health Sectors as Actors and Advocates for Health and Health Equity

Many assume that the health sector is the central government agency for health. Yet very often, health sectors are actually “illness care” sectors that give little concern to the production or maintenance of health. This chapter argues that this state of affairs needs to change so that health sectors do become stewards of the health of the population they are established to serve. Achieving such a health sector will require strong and determined leadership that is able to ensure that curative functions are effective, while also ensuring that disease prevention and health promotion flourish. This is vital to governing for health. This chapter examines the importance of primary health care, disease prevention, and health promotion. The chapter plays particular attention to community strategies, including community ownership of health services, and public health functions, including health impact assessments and Health in All Policies.