Description
Health economics is the study of health related activities such as the production and consumption of physician services, pharmaceuticals, health insurance, dental care, alcohol, and junk food. The health care industry is important in both developed and developing economies, and accounts for approximately 20% of U.S. GDP. In this course, we investigate health related behavior using techniques from sub-fields of economics including industrial organization, labor economics, information economics, public economics, and behavioral economics. We exmaine the health care industry in the U.S. and the argument for reform, and consider alternative models such as those used in other developed countries. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the basic tools to better understand health and health care fields from an economic perspective. Prerequisite: ECON052 PO.