全球智库信息集成服务系统

Key Findings

1. Nation-building efforts cannot succeed unless adequate attention is paid to the population’s health.
2. Efforts to improve residents’ health can generate goodwill.
3. Successful health system reconstruction requires planning, coordination, and leadership.
4. Health reconstruction is linked to other sectors, such as water and power.
5. Health-sector reform must be sustainable by the country’s own health care providers and leaders.
6. Security is essential for all reconstruction, including health.

How important is the role of health in nation-building? To answer this question, a RAND team of political scientists, physicians, and economists examined past attempts to rebuild public health and health care delivery systems during nation-building efforts after U.S. military deployments intended to underpin the transition to peace, democracy, and economic stability. Their main conclusion: Nation-building efforts cannot be successful unless adequate attention is paid to the population’s health. In addition, efforts to improve health can be a powerful tool for capturing the goodwill of the residents.