Health Policy Systems

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This 3-credit course aims to provide professionals and students with essential skills to formulate evidence-based health policy and to understand, analyze, and evaluate the structure, organization, management, and performance of health systems in low and middle-income countries. Course objectives are to equip students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and evaluate the governing policies and performance of healthcare systems and health programs; to hone the ability to identify problems and suggest potential solutions; and to devise alternative evidence-based reform policies that would contribute to improve the health status of the population. The course links key health system issues to the larger political, cultural and socio-economic context and reigning ideologies in which they are embedded. The teaching and learning methodologies include: (a) Presentations by students on the session topic followed by Q and A; (b) Writing a brief paper for generating support, advocacy, and policy development to address a health problem or health threat; papers will include realistic recommendations and cost implications; (c) Preparing a term paper with an in-depth analysis of a health care policy and comparing its formulation, implementation and health outcomes across three countries; and (d) Lectures on specific policy and health system issues.