[Economic perspectives of health care].

International comparisons show that life expectancy is positively correlated with national expenditures on health care (% of Gross National Product) - albeit with significant differences. Over the past decade the increase in health-care expenditures grew at twice the rate of the increase in life expectancy. Total volume and growth of resources spent on health care require more consideration of economic aspects. On the basis of empirical examples (World Health Organization) and diagrammatic illustrations of the efficiency of market mechanisms, the present paper offers a visual illustration of the argument that market-oriented health systems seem to be more effective, and that government rules and regulations have to consider the demand AND supply sides of health care as well freedom AND responsibility simultaneously.