Ninth Futures Forum on health systems governance and public participation: Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 10–11 October 2005

Abstract

Many European countries are increasingly trying to involve citizens in collective and individual decision-making on health policy. The idea is that this will improve policy decisions, increase the public’s acceptance of them and encourage people to take more responsibility for both individual and community health decisions. Further, it is becoming clear that health care services need a fully engaged public as co-producers of health if they are to be affordable. But limited insight and evidence are available on how to ensure public participation and how it actually improves health outcomes in different countries. This Futures Forum reviews the progress European countries are making in public participation in health policy and points the way for countries to involve the public in health systems governance.