Diana M. S. Hetzel

Australia and New Zealand, Health Systems of

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.

Health systems of Australia and New Zealand

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 Māori 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 health care costs and workforce pressures.