Health services in Australia

To summarise, many of our health problems in Australia are associated with our affluence, industrialisation, urban living and with the special circumstances of the disadvantaged people. In addition, we are beset with problems of necessary cost containment in operating our health services, vast distances, isolated communities and urban sprawl. To meet these problems we are giving greater emphasis to improved coordination, quality control and integration of health services, the prevention of accidents and disease, the development of community services, and the encouragement of individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and to accept responsibility for their own health.