The author presents crucial problems of health policy in a broad context of social policy. She argues that solving health problems may prove insufficient without solving other social problems, though it may also be difficult to solve broader social problems without solving the problem of poor health. After discussing the concept of health policy, its aims, principles and determinants, the author characterises basic problems of chosen health policy instruments: economic, legal, organizational and human resources. The text ends with recommendations demanding comprehensive services, increasing the role of basic medical services and a family doctor as well as an improvement of health care for the most endangered groups, such as children and youth and old people.