Towards a new health policy in Hungary

The health situation of the Hungarian population in the postwar period with respect to the socio-economic changes has been evaluated and as a consequence a new health policy programme is outlined. It has been established that between 1945 and 1965 the development of the socio-economic and the public health situation, due to the introduction of a national health insurance system, the decreasing trends of the infectious diseases and malnutrition, and the raising of the cultural standards of the people has resulted in a rapid improvement of the health status at population level. Between 1965 and 1985 the rapid changes of the economic situation were followed by deep intra- and intergeneration family pattern behavioral and life-style changes. As a consequence of these a significant increase in the alcohol, tobacco and fat consumption, and the mortality rate of the 35-59-year-old male population was observed. The introduction of a national health promotion programme is necessary with a special emphasis on the healthy life-style at individual and at multi-sectoral level as well. The structure and function of the health service has to be changed according to the programme. The health promotion programme is based on a nationwide consensus.