Experts View and Recommendation for Management and Operation of National Health Promotion Fund

Abstract

Objectives: This study was to examine the experts perception on the operation of the national health promotion fund and related policies, and to obtain the perspective on the improving governance of the fund. Methods: Experts opinion survey was recruited 120 experts who were public health officials, and members of board in academic societies related to health promotion and health policy, and 60 experts participated in the survey. Results: Most health care experts agreed that the current allocation of health promotion fund was not optimal with its lack of allocation on promoting healthy lifestyle and R&D for health promotion, while the majority of the fund was being spent on supporting national health insurance. Thus, establishing governance system and control tower for the fund was viewed as critical. Also the status of deliberation committee should be raised to higher position where it can hold practical authority to plan and evaluate fund spending. Conclusions: The priority of health promotion fund spending should be more on improving health such as modifying life-style and spreading healthy habits, rather than on disease management or subsidizing health insurance. It is recommended that change from to environment in health promotion policy regime is required to establish effective governance system for the fund operation.