Financing health promotion in Japan and Mongolia.

Health promotion is becoming a noticeable policy in both developed and developing countries facing a burden of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. This paper discusses the focus of health promotion policy, financing arrangements and the perspectives of social health insurance to fund health promotion. The population health status in Japan is among the highest in the world despite an increasing incidence of cancer, heart, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Communicable diseases such as HIV/ AIDS and new types of influenza also pose threats to public health. In Mongolia, both communicable and noncommunicable diseases are a serious public health concern. Since 1995, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and injuries have been the leading causes of mortality. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are common risk factors for many chronic diseases.