Citizen Participation in Health Planning in the U.S. and the U.K.: Implications for Health Education Strategies

This study focuses upon the citizen's role in effecting meaningful health planning in both societies and relates findings to implications for developing effective health education strategies based upon these understandings.

Abstract

The role of citizen involvement in the health planning process in Great Britain and the United States makes for interesting comparisons. Within both systems, the record of citizen participation in health planning has been mixed. Both the philosophical goals and political and economic realities of the two countries have contributed to the development of markedly different systems of health care delivery and for the perceived role of the citizens within this delivery system. While previous comparisons have primarily centered on the nature of the delivery systems and potential effectiveness and cost, this study focuses upon the citizen's role in effecting meaningful health planning in both societies. Furthermore, the study relates findings to implications for developing effective health education strategies based upon these understandings.