Health Systems of Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Australia and New Zealand are developed nations with generally healthy populations and long life expectancies when compared internationally. Both health systems provide tax-funded, subsidized health and hospital care and pharmaceutical items to their populations. While overall levels of health are good, these benefits are not spread equally across the populations, and indigenous Australians and New Zealand Maori and Pacific peoples fare worst on many socioeconomic and health indicators. Addressing these inequalities and responding to the increasing burden of age-related disease and disability are challenges that both countries will have to meet, despite rising costs and workforce pressures. © 2008 Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.