Handbook

This course is offered in two modes: either face to face (on-campus) and fully online.

Are you among those wondering about the connection between economics and health care? Economics might seem disconnected from fundamental social goals like 'good health', but it is about managing scarce resources and making choices about where to allocate them. Health economics is about optimizing health outcomes amidst limited resources. It helps answer questions such as: What's the best way to increase health service uptake: price controls or subsidies? How does private sector involvement affect healthcare access? What is the most efficient way to deliver medicines to remote areas? Are out-of-pocket healthcare payments a regressive funding mechanism? How should doctors be compensated? The primary goal of this course is to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and basic economic arguments that are central to discussions about health policy options and resource allocation choices in low- and middle-income countries. By the end of the course, you will be in a stronger position to (i) demonstrate an understanding of the main functions and challenges facing health systems in the developing world; (ii) explain the key economic principles and concepts relevant to health economics and financing; (iii) discuss specific features that distinguish markets for health care from markets for other goods and services; (iv) distinguish between the principal ways of funding health services and paying health care providers; and (v) critically appraise evidence on the efficiency and equity implications of different health financing mechanisms in low- and middle-income countries.