Glossary: H

The coordination of donor contributions and activities, the transparent sharing of information and the attempt to be collectively effective and avoid duplication in alignment with national health policies, strategies and plans.

State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The type and scope of health services that a purchaser buys from providers on behalf of its beneficiaries.

The wide range of steering and rule-making related functions carried out by governments and decision-makers as they seek to achieve national health policy objectives. Governance is a political process that balances competing influences and demands. It includes: maintaining the strategic direction of policy development and implementation; detecting and correcting undesirable trends and distortions; articulating the case for health in national development; regulating the behaviour of a wide range of actors, from health care financiers to health care providers; and establishing transparent and effective accountability mechanisms.

An approach to public policies across sectors that systematically takes into account the implications for health and health systems of decisions, seeks collaborations, and avoids harmful health impacts in order to improve population health and health equity. A Health in All Policies approach is founded on health-related rights and obligations. It emphasizes the effect of public policies on health determinants and aims to improve the accountability of policy-makers for the effects on health of all levels of policymaking.

The achievement of a certain level of knowledge, personal skills and confidence to take action to improve personal and community health by changing personal lifestyles and living conditions.

The authorities responsible for overseeing the operations and day-to-day delivery of services, including processes of planning and budgeting, aligning resources, managing implementation and monitoring results.

Health technologies and devices used for prevention, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation or palliation. It includes medicines, vaccines, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, protective equipment, assistive devices, and vector control tools.

Any service (not limited to medical or clinical services) aimed at contributing to improved health or to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals and populations.

The unique processes that contribute to the performance of health service delivery, including: selecting services, designing care, organising providers, managing services and improving performance.

The degree to which a health system carries out its functions of governing, financing, resourcing and delivering services, to achieve its goals.

Care that considers the whole person, including psychological, social and environmental factors, rather than just the symptoms of disease or ill health.

Coordination of the functions, activities or operating units that are at the same stage of the service production process; examples of this type of integration are consolidations, mergers and shared services within a single delivery platform.