Course Description
Applies economics theory in health, health care, and health policy with an emphasis on core themes applicable to health economics. Lectures will include economic evaluation, demand for health care, insurance markets, asymmetric information, managed care, hospital and pharmaceutical industry, and governmental role.
Athena Title
Advanced Health Economics
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HPAM 8600E
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
(1) Utilize the concepts of economics to examine critical questions in health care services (2) Analyze risk and uncertainty as related to health insurance (3) Distinguish the key players in the healthcare sector and analyze their role in healthcare (4) Examine the impact of social insurance and the role of government in improving health (5) Effectively analyze, interpret, write, and communicate health economics research findings to a lay audience These course learning objectives are tied to the following core competencies outlined for health policy and management: A. Analyze and discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations B. Critically assess current policies to address the health status of populations C. Design communication strategies, using appropriate channels and technologies, to address health policy issues
Topical Outline
I. The demand for health and health care II. The supply of health care a. Hospitals b. Doctors c. Pharmaceutical industry III. Health insurance a. Supply and demand b. Moral hazard and adverse selection c. Health insurance and employment d. The uninsured e. Managed care IV. The role of government a. Efficiency, equity, and need b. Types of interventions i. Taxes and subsidies: e.g., tax-exempt employer contributions ii. Public provision: e.g., VA hospitals iii. Transfer programs: e.g., Medicaid, Medicare iv. Regulation: e.g., FDA, mandated benefits v. Public health initiatives: e.g., smoking, obesity, alcohol, pollution, sanitation vi. Support for health-related research: e.g., NIH c. Health system reform V. Cost-benefit analysis
Syllabus