This book offers a comprehensive look at the impact of decentralization on health systems around the world. Divided into three parts, this book breaks new ground by providing managers and policymakers with an understanding of positive and negative consequences of decentralization for the health sector. The first part focuses on the technical support areas that are essential for the delivery of health services; namely, health planning, financing, human resources, pharmaceuticals, management information, and quality improvement. The second part examines the relationship of decentralization to two key health service areas: reproductive health and hospital services. The third part is an in-depth review of the historical evolution of decentralization in Indonesia. In contributing to this anthology, the authors offer advice on anticipating and dealing with these issues, based on their experiences in numerous countries. In general, decentralization can profoundly influence both the content and quality of health services and the technical support areas necessary to deliver services equitably and efficiently. It can result in effective local responses to local needs if good planning, cooperation among levels, and analysis of management systems inform the process.