The changes that have taken place, and indeed continue to take place, in the post-1994 health sphere are often difficult to comprehend for both those inside and outside the South African health care system. These reforms can be confusing, even bewildering. What is the essence of the transformation? Where are the reforms heading? Health and health care in South Africa addresses these questions by presenting a coherent ?big picture? of health and health care in this country.

Health and health care in South Africa takes stock, chapter by chapter, of the evolving health system, along with the ensuing changes and challenges, and attempts to contextualise these developments historically and globally, and to critically assess them. It reviews progress and achievements, but also contemporary constraints and deficiencies in health performance.

Contents include the following:

• National health care systems: trends, changes and reforms
• The changing biophysical environment: impact on health and health conditions
• HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis: trends, challenges and responses
• Health care expenditure: using resources efficiently and equitably
• Revitalisation and re-engineering of primary health care
• Hospitals and hospital reform
• Complementary and alternative medicine and traditional health care
• Medical ethics and human rights

Health and health care in South Africa is aimed at researchers and lecturers, as well as senior and postgraduate students in the health and health-related professions, the social sciences, and health planning, policy and management-related disciplines. It is also a valuable reference work for practising health professionals, health planners, policy makers and managers.