Challenges and opportunities for the health sector in small states

Abstract

This chapter explores the characteristics of the health sector in small states. It illustrates whether any specific challenges or opportunities affect health systems in small states in relation to country size. The chapter explains whether there are any associations between country size and a number of variables associated with health. It introduces by referring to the meaning of small country size and the special constraints faced by the states as a backdrop to expand upon aspects related to public health and health systems with a focus on small population size. The chapter reviews the available literature on health status, access and quality of health care and specific characteristics faced by health systems in small states. One characteristic of the Caribbean small states is that they experience a particularly high burden of Non-communicable diseases. The analysis is based on data pertaining to a cross-section of 184 countries for the latest year of available data.