DISCOVERING WHAT WORKS IN HEALTH POLICY
Introduces the key conceptual and methodological tools used in public program evaluation, with an emphasis on understanding the forces that shape health and disease as well as various policy solutions. Introduces the Potential Outcomes Framework, also known as the Rubin Causal Model. Establishes the distinction between causation from correlation using counterfactual thinking. Explores a wide variety of experimental and quasi-experimental research methods used to estimate causal effects, including randomized experiments, regression, matching, instrumental variables, fixed effects, regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, and synthetic control. Many of the causal inference methods that we discuss require statistical and computational training in order to implement. Focuses on the nontechnical conceptual, theoretical, and intuitive underpinnings of these methods that are most salient to policymakers.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning Breadth - Social Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Gain an understanding of relevant frameworks for counterfactual thinking, including the Potential Outcomes framework Audience: Undergraduate 2. Evaluate the strength of evidence in press, policy and academic accounts related to health and health policy, especially correlation vs. causation Audience: Undergraduate 3. Conceptually apply counterfactual methods to health and health policy issues Audience: Undergraduate 4. Communicate and synthesize the strengths and weaknesses of current evidence for health and health policy interventions Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Gain an understanding of relevant frameworks for counterfactual thinking, including the Potential Outcomes framework Audience: Undergraduate 2. Evaluate the strength of evidence in press, policy and academic accounts related to health and health policy, especially correlation vs. causation Audience: Undergraduate 3. Conceptually apply counterfactual methods to health and health policy issues Audience: Undergraduate 4. Communicate and synthesize the strengths and weaknesses of current evidence for health and health policy interventions Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027