Introductory Health Economics

Catalog description

Introductory Health Economics: This course covers essential concepts of economics applied to the healthcare sector, and provides students with the tools for understanding the challenges of delivering and financing health care. A general background of the US healthcare system is the basis for this course, followed by a review of the economic forces which make the healthcare sector so unique in our economy. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1) understand the importance of the healthcare sector in the U.S. economy, and describe the organization, service delivery modalities, stakeholders, and financing of healthcare services; 2) explain the main economic theories related to the healthcare market place, including production and demand of healthcare services, insurance, and financing of healthcare services; and, 3) apply cost-effectiveness analysis for the evaluation of healthcare interventions.