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Health is a fundamental and universal need, the fulfilment of which is a vital factor in determining the well-being of the population as a whole. It therefore plays a key role in the study of economic and social problems and is a major indicator for evaluating changes in society. The articles in this special issue analyze such changes in terms of their impact on the health of the population at large. In a context of various forms of privatization in the health sector, these articles shed light on the often-negative consequences of public policy, both on public health and the working conditions of healthcare sector employees.