10 Economic and administrative consequences

The most important action in achieving public health objectives is to facilitate cross-sectoral policy development. However, effective follow-up of the Public Health Act in municipalities will require the public health work to be strengthened. For other desirable changes to be implemented in the longer term, and which have consequences for the allocation of funds, further implementation will depend upon the general economic situation. The government will make proposals in future regular budgets to be submitted to Parliament. There is also a need to further develop public health work at a national level. In some areas it may also be necessary to reallocate resources.

Furthermore, there is a need to direct efforts away from treatment and towards prevention. According to the OECD, Norway spends a significantly smaller proportion of its health care budget on preventive measures and public health work than many other countries. The Coordination Reform assumes a shift in resources towards preventive work and early follow-up and treatment in the municipal health care service. The introduction of municipal co-financing and payment for patients ready for discharge will help to ensure that more patient treatment is provided within the municipalities, and that local authorities are given incentives to focus on prevention and early intervention. Municipalities have also been allocated funds through block grants in order to establish the necessary competence. However, the funding system still provides limited incentives to prioritise prevention. How economic instruments can be used more effectively to achieve a long-term strengthening of public health work should be assessed.

In future budgets, the government will evaluate whether it is possible to reorient health-related excise duties in a manner that contributes to improved public health. There is a long tradition of using taxation measures in public health work, particularly with regard to alcohol and tobacco. In recent years, this instrument has also been used to encourage healthier consumption patterns through changes in excise duty for non-alcoholic beverages.