The Political Determinants of Healthcare Systems: Lessons from Libya and the United States of America

Healthcare systems vary from one country to another according to economic, cultural, and technical considerations, but more importantly, according to political structures and ideologies. Reinhart argues, in a recent article, that public health professionals should be more political than what they are now rather than less. In fact, we can see healthcare is inherently political, as decisions regarding infrastructure, dietary and different life styles, taxation, social welfare, and public health investment influence who receives care and who is left behind.