Course Description
This introductory survey of health policy issues will include the organization of the health system, health care financing, the policy process in the United States, laws and ethics related to health policy and management, the essential features of policy analysis, and public health communication.
Athena Title
Introduction to Health Policy
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HPAM 3600E
Pre or Corequisite
PBHL 3100 or PBHL 3100E or HPRB 3010 or HPRB 3010E or HPRB 3020 or HPRB 3020E or HPRB 3020S or EHSC 3060 or EHSC 3060E
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: • Describe the basic organization and financing of the United States public health and health care systems. • Explain the biological, social, environmental, and economic determinants of population health. • Discuss factors behind rising costs and approaches to health reform. • Explain the public health policy process in terms of legal, ethical and diversity considerations. • Evaluate the effects of policies at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Topical Outline
1. History of Public Health Policy 2. Federal, State, and Local Governments 3. Health Policy Making Process 4. Population Health 5. Medical and Public Health Professions 6. Health Care Organizations 7. Health Disparities and Health Care Access 8. Health Care Reform Status Update 9. Financing Health Care: Private 10. Financing Health Care: Public 11. Quality of Care and Comparative Effectiveness 12. Comparative Health Systems 13. Georgia Legislative Recap 14. Federal Executive and Legislative Status 15. Health Reform for the Future
Syllabus