A number of the articles in this volume are based on case studies in three counties: Donglan in Guangxi province,' Shibing in Guizhou province and Xunyi in Shaanxi province. Fieldwork and data analysis were carried out in collaboration with a research institution in each province: Guangxi Health Management College, Guiyang Medical College and Xi'an Medical University The health bureaux of each province have also participated in the programme. Routine reports were collected from the county statistical bureaux, and the county governments provided routine financial data. The county health bureaux provided financial and health service utilisation data for county-level health facilities and township health centres. Structured interviews were held with key members of the county governments, and county and township health facilities. Focus group discussions were held with health workers and users of health services.