Health Services and Policy

The course will examine quality assessment at different levels of the health care system, including health plans, physicians, hospital and integrated system performance. The course will examine the influence of the micro perspectives such as the workforce, organizational structure and payment incentives on health care quality. Macro perspective includes strategic planning, alliance, competition, marketing and technology at the health care systems level. The students will also evaluate how quality of health care relates to health outcomes and population health

Examination of major policy issues in the U.S. health care delivery system to understand policy options in reforming health care and reducing health care disparities

Students are introduced to Economic Thinking (ET). Developers survive and prosper by making a very large number of good forecasts and acting on them, accepting the risk that accompanies any action. Developers live in a sea of information and do best if they process the incoming data better than others. ET helps on three levels: we better understand:
1) economic trends;
2) the evolving policy environment; and
3) local conditions (location, location, location). This course will also equip students to benefit from other RED courses such as market analysis, approvals, finance and law

The course identifies and discusses the complex interactions among law, health and human rights, with particular emphasis on the use of human rights norms and standards for public health thinking and practice. The course provides the basis for literacy about modern human rights and the links to public health, including core principles, key documents, institutions and practices.

Frameworks for analysis of the interactions between health and human rights will be introduced and applied, including effect of health law, policies and programs on human rights, health consequences of human rights violations, and the linkages between promoting and protecting health and promoting and protecting human rights. Topics including sexuality, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS will be used to illustrate and explore practical applications of human rights to global health

An overview of environmental health, identifying issues in assessing effects of exposure on health and potential interventions for reducing adverse health risks

Overview of concepts, tools, data collection, analysis methods and designs used to evaluate health promotion programs. Examples from substance abuse prevention, family planning and reproductive health programs