Public health focuses on promoting and protecting the health of populations through preventive care, education and policy development. It addresses issues like infectious disease control, access to clean water, vaccination programs and health equity. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Master of Public Health with a Health Management and Policy Concentration online program equips students with expertise in public health while also addressing the dynamics of private healthcare systems.
Public health systems often operate under government funding and oversight, striving to ensure that communities receive basic healthcare services regardless of income or geographic location. On the other hand, private healthcare refers to medical services provided by non-governmental entities including hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and insurers.
These organizations typically operate on a for-profit or nonprofit basis, offering specialized care, innovative treatments and expanded access for individuals who can afford private services or have insurance coverage. Private healthcare plays a complementary role to public systems by providing options for care delivery and supporting advancements in medical technology.
How Public and Private Healthcare Work Together
Public and private healthcare systems work together in many ways, creating chances to improve health for everyone. Public health focuses on making sure everyone can access basic care, while private healthcare adds resources, skills and new ideas. By combining their strengths, they can tackle shared problems like chronic diseases, pandemic readiness and improving medical services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), private sector engagement in public health can take three forms:
- Involving private actors in public health policy development: Governments and private organizations collaborate to create policies addressing shared challenges, such as pandemic preparedness or chronic disease management.
- Using regulatory and financing tools to influence private sector behavior: Public health authorities use regulations and incentives to align private sector practices with health goals, such as requiring vaccinations or offering subsidies for rural healthcare services.
- Assigning “private attributes” to public sector organizations: Public agencies adopt private-sector management principles to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
Private-public Partnerships in Healthcare
Private-public partnerships (PPPs) are collaborations where public and private entities share resources, risks and rewards to achieve common health objectives. These partnerships address issues like infrastructure gaps, resource shortages and health inequities. Examples include:
- Urban Institute Studies: PPPs have improved access to healthcare in developing countries by leveraging private sector resources to build facilities and train healthcare workers.
- National Library of Medicine (NLM): Research published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) highlights that PPPs can enhance innovation by combining public sector accountability with private sector expertise and funding.
- PwC Insights: These collaborations foster sustainable healthcare systems by streamlining services and integrating cutting-edge technology.
Benefits of Private-public Partnerships in Healthcare
The collaboration between public and private sectors offers numerous benefits, according to the MDPI research. First, PPPs significantly increase access to healthcare services by pooling resources from both sectors. Public funding ensures that healthcare remains affordable and accessible, while private entities contribute operational efficiency and scalability.
For example, vaccination campaigns benefit from private sector distribution networks to reach broader populations. These collaborations also lead to improved health outcomes by addressing complex challenges more effectively. Public health agencies provide critical data and oversight, while private companies bring specialized expertise and resources, resulting in better prevention and disease management efforts.
Additionally, partnerships between these sectors drive innovation in healthcare. The private sector often leads in research and development, introducing advanced treatments and technologies. When paired with public health’s focus on equity, these innovations become accessible to underserved communities. Finally, these partnerships enhance economic efficiency by reducing duplication of services and sharing costs. Supported by private sector management and technology, private investments in infrastructure create more sustainable and effective healthcare systems overall.
The Future of Public and Private Healthcare
As healthcare needs continue to evolve, partnerships between public and private sectors are becoming increasingly significant. By combining resources, expertise and a shared commitment to health equity, these sectors address global challenges and improve outcomes for communities.
Graduates of EWU’s Master of Public Health with a Health Management and Policy Concentration online program are uniquely prepared to lead these efforts. They gain the skills to integrate public health priorities with private sector capabilities, fostering a collaborative healthcare landscape that is comprehensive, equitable and innovative. Through courses like Health Policy and Law, students develop an understanding of how public and private entities interact, positioning them to make meaningful contributions to both sectors and drive improvements in health systems worldwide.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Public Health with a Health Management and Policy Concentration program.
