State budget transfers to health insurance funds: extending universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries of the WHO European Region.

Background: Many low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have introduced social health insurance payroll taxes after the political transition in the late 1980s, combined with budget transfers to allow for exempting specific population groups from paying contributions, such as those outside formal sector work and in particular vulnerable groups. This paper assesses the institutional design aspects of such financing arrangements and their performance with respect to universal health coverage progress in LMIC of the European region.

Methods: The study is based on a literature review and review of secondary databases for the performance assessment.

Millennium Development Goals: how public health professionals perceive the achievement of MDGs.

Background: There have been various consultations on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by different groups. However, even if it is clear that the health sector has led the development success of the MDGs, only a few MDG reports consider public health experts' points of view and these are mainly government driven.

Designs: The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) has executed a global survey to consult public health professionals worldwide concerning the implementation and achievements of the MDGs.

MDGs--A public health professional's perspective from 71 countries.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations executed a quali-quantitative survey to explore the opinion of public health professionals worldwide and their experience concerning the implementation and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We received 427 completed questionnaires from 71 countries. 88 per cent of respondents were involved in MDGs-related activities collaborating mainly with the national government, multilateral organisations and local NGOs.