The publication of Towards a New Perspective on Health Policy, by Sholom Glouberman, in 2001 marked the completion of a three-year research project on the development and implementation of health policy. This synthesis report ties together numerous separate studies and the results of discussions involving some 3,500 people at more than 90 events held over the course of the project.

The study looks at three fundamental questions: What is health? What is a health system? What is health policy?

Its thesis: The quality of the interaction between the individual and his or her social context is a key contributor to health. The study points to the value of placing health care system reform into a broader context.