| Abstract: | In the new millennium the world has become a ?global village?. Urbanization, economical imbalance, changing social structures and globalization resulting in ever-increasing interpenetration and interdependence between local, national and transnational events constitute the new operational field of public health. This article discusses the challenges and constraints faced by developing countries in its efforts to improve equity in health care. It is noted that the challenges include globalization; emergence of diseases and epidemics; privatization of health care; improving the quality of care; developing Healthy Public Policy; effective decentralization; and a focus on the poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups. In terms of the constraints, most notable is the disagreement between providers of individual care and practitioners of population-based medicine, and the noncontribution of public health research to public policy. In view of such, several recommendations are cited in order to overcome these challenges and constraints and in turn, achieve the goal of improving equity in health care. In this regard, the importance of health systems development including health sector reform in shaping the system and practice of public health in the new millennium is emphasized. |
