Introduction to Health Studies

Catalog description

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the evolution of healthcare in America. The course will apply a social science lens to the assessment of various healthcare co-cultures, including: providers, patients, and insurers. The impact of technology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices on patient longevity, wellness, and disease management will be explored. In addition, the dialectical tensions created by acute care/disease-focused vs. quality-of-life/wellness-centric healthcare delivery models will be examined. The evolving economic burdens of: an aging population, uninsured Americans, expanding technology, provider specialization, and fewer healthcare gatekeepers on the US healthcare system will also be assessed. This course is open to health studies minors and public health majors only. Nursing majors may not take this course.