1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Health Economics 1

Health Economics 1 (POPH90094)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2020 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.

Pleaserefer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

This subject introduces students to health economics as a sub-discipline of economics. Students are provided with a comprehensive introduction to micro-economics, so the subject is suitable for students with no prior knowledge of economics. It paves the way for students to apply micro-economic concepts to the analysis of contemporary issues in public health and health care. Topics to be studied include the following:

  • Introduction to economics, micro-economics and welfare economics
  • Introduction to health economics
  • The demand for health and health care
  • The production and supply of health care; the economics of the health workforce
  • Behavioural economics in health care
  • The market for health care
  • Market failure and the role of government in health care,
  • Economics approaches to measuring equity in health and health care
  • The Australian health care system analysed from an economic perspective

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the economics principles, concepts and theories underpinning health economics.
  • Analyse a health care issue from an economics perspective.
  • Explain the economic rationale for government intervention in health care.
  • Evaluate the impact of public policy in health and health care markets.
  • Apply the knowledge of health economics in designing or reforming health care system.

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:

  • Critical thinking and analysis,
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information,
  • Written communication,
  • Persuasion and argumentation.

Last updated: 2 September 2020