Resumo

GOLDSTEEN, Raymond L.; PEREIRA, Julio Cesar R.  e  GOLDSTEEN, Karen. The engine or the caboose: health policy in developing countries. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 1990, vol.24, n.6, pp. 523-527. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101990000600012.

A discussion of health policy in developing countries is presented. It argues that developing countries must adopt a progressive approach to health policy which rejects the two-tiered system of public and private health care. However, it also points out that ideology is not sufficient to maintain support. A progressive health system must utilize administrative and social and behavioral sciences to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in health care delivery. It cannot ignore these goals any more than a private health care system can.

Palavras-chave : Health policy; Developing countries; Health system.