Economic Development

by Seung-hun Chun (Author)

The breakdown of the socialist system in the late 20th century gave some of the affected countries the opportunity to establish the prerequisites for sustainable economic development and improved human welfare. However, for others, the dramatic economic decline experienced during the transition years resulted in widespread poverty. Despite some improvement since then, over 60 million people remain poor and more than 150 million are economically vulnerable in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE-CIS). This report is the first comprehensive effort to analyse the economic impact of ill health in the CEE-CIS Region, and much of the evidence it presents about the economic implications of chronic disease - growing rapidly in many low- and middle-income countries - is also relevant beyond the original geographical focus.

Development processes occur within a wider geographical area than local government, and in some cases encompass a broader scope than provincial or national governments. Thus substantial inter-governmental co-operation and public-private partnership are needed.