In this Chapter we discuss some of the modeling improvements emerging
from PART II that could possibly be addressed in the near-future. Next, we note that
although for some health threats – e.g., diabetes, antimicrobial resistance, system
deficiencies – the best ‘value for money’ solutions have already been identified, so far
funds for implementation had not been made available. We investigate why this may
have occurred and suggest possible future alternative researcher approaches. Next we
ask whether longer term modeling improvements are also needed to address the
emerging chronic disease related health threats (Chapter 9). Finally, in view of the rapid
changes in access to knowledge via the internet, and the need by decision makers and
health professionals for more rapid and more readily accessible ‘evidence-based’
analyses, we ask whether some longer term modeling improvements could lead to webbased
versions of the outputs produced by current models.
Overall, it seems uncertain that Australia can in future maintain its top health status
internationally. However, we conclude that the ability to identify ‘best value for money’
in health investments will become even more important in future than it had been in
previous decades.
Keywords: Modeling improvements; more coherent datasets; up-to-date
guidelines; adaptable health structures; less system deficiencies; improved
research to policy links; internet use.
