Journal of Family and Economic Issues – Special Issue on Health, Economics, and Family Role
This
special issue of the Journal of Family and Economic Issues invites original
empirical or theoretical research papers relevant to the role of individuals
and families in improving the health of nation. While much of the policy debate
on health care reform focuses on health care providers and the payers for
health care, a large part of the health of individuals and the nation depends
on the actions of individuals and families--in learning health skills and in
living healthier lifestyles.
Understanding the nature and causes of the health of nations is not possible
without understanding the role of the family in acquiring and teaching the
skills needed to live healthily, analogous to the role of parents in promoting
the education attainment of their children. This may be as important as the
role of government regulators and healthcare professionals in containing healthcare
costs, extending life expectancy and increasing the quality of life.
The ideas of scholars and health policy makers are powerful, but not commonly
understood, especially in view of the increasing size and complexity of the
public and private roles in the health care of families. As the role of the
public sector in regulating, financing and delivering healthcare grows,
individual accountability may be seriously weakened, increasing health costs
and failing to achieve intended health outcomes. This special issue encourages
fresh perspectives that could possibly turn much of the policy debate on its
head. The state of flux in the health care poses ongoing challenges and
opportunities to the families, providers, insurers, and regulators who have
varied incentives and aspirations. This provides a fertile ground for scholars
to analyze underlying health issues and to provide ideas that would
substantively influence individuals and families in playing a more effective
role in improving the nation’s health. This special issue will bring together
papers that investigate important topics in family health and economic issues.
Both quantitative and qualitative papers are welcome.
Manuscript Submission Due Date: March 1,
2010
More information is here.
