ABSTRACT
Decisions about health policy are greatly influenced by the political, social and cultural context, and, in particular, by the health care system. This chapter begins with a brief description of the French health care system, followed by an examination of the information that fuels the decision-making process. It looks at the interplay between political forces and interest groups that leads to the decision. In 1994, the Ministry for Health used the Delphi technique in a survey to define national priorities in public health. This method allows the insights of a large group of people to be solicited, in a process that enables them to exchange opinions. General consumer groups are less important and influential in France than in other countries. Their activity mostly involves bringing to public attention flaws and faults in the sale or manufacture of products.
