Using Econ to Undrst Ed Hlth

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Economics and the Social Sectors: A global perspective With more evidence linking adult outcomes to investments in human capital, healthcare and education are poised to become one of the largest sectors of the global economy over the next 10 years. Ensuring that this spending enhances the health and education of the poor is critical, but difficult. This course introduces students to the economics of the social sectors with an emphasis on low-income countries. The education part of the course starts with an overview of historical trends in enrollment and learning worldwide. It then takes students through key concepts in measurement, description and causal analysis, with a focus on a systems approach to education. This part of the course will cover key concepts such as development accounting, item response theory, value-added measurement modelling, the industrial organization of the private sector and government failures in education. The health part of the course focuses on the delivery of health care in low-income countries and will cover the economics of preventative healthcare, the quality of care, private sector care and healthcare insurance. The emphasis throughout is the further development of empirical and theoretical tools from economics as they apply to the social sectors in low-income countries.