ABSTRACT
An integrated public health policy has now been missing in Peru for three decades. Economic growth has taken priority over issues of equity and poverty reduction. In the long term, health promotion strategies in Peru need to aim towards influencing those who are instrumental in shaping policies in the country. Only at this level can real changes be made to the health status of the population. Most NGOs are trying to incorporate this approach into their activities. Salii Shetty, who runs ActionAid, has recently been quoted as saying that Traditionally the role of NGOs was assistance. But now they are asking more questions of government and developing an advo cacy role' (Woolf, 1999, p.8).
