Health Economics (ECON30023)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2017

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Overview

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The focus of this unit is on the application of economic analysis to study the consumption and production of health. The main objectives of this subject are to develop an understanding of: (1) the underlying economic frameworks appropriate to study health and health care, and (2) the impact of market failures in the provision of health care and the role for government policy. Topics covered may include production of health, demand for health (including the demand for health “bads”), moral hazard and adverse selection in health insurance markets, health labour markets, including physician-patient interactions, the institutions of the Australian system of health care, health policy and evaluation techniques.

Intended learning outcomes


  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic economic concepts used in the study of health economics
  • Apply appropriate economic tools to analyse the behaviour of the various agents in the provision and consumption of health care.
  • Describe the major government programs and institutional features in the provision of health care in Australia and the debates currently surrounding these programs.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main empirical tools used in the analysis of issues in health economics.

Generic skills

  • High level of development: written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information.

  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; statistical reasoning; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

The following:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON20002 Intermediate Microeconomics
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND one of:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECOM20001 Introductory Econometrics
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECON20003 Quantitative Methods 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

Additional details

  • A 2-hour end-of-semester exam (60%)
  • Assignments not exceeding 3000 words (30%)
  • Tutorial participation (10%)
  • To pass this subject students must pass the end of semester examination.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2017

Time commitment details

170 Hours

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    The Economics of Health and Health Care by Folland, Goodman and Stano.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    MajorEconomics
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

Last updated: 9 April 2025