Global Health Economics - ECO00060M
Module summary
This module focuses on the application of economics to key topics in health policy in low-, middle- and high-income countries. The course aims to equip students with the tools required to analyse and critically discuss these issues.
Related modules
Additional information
RPL of the pre-requisite modules may also be considered.
This is module 8 of the MSc Health Economics for Health Professionals and Policymakers programme
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2025-26 |
Module aims
This module aims to:
- introduce students to current policy debates on health systems in low-, middle- and high-income countries
- provide students with the economic techniques needed to analyse and discuss them
- demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques in fields such as health system financing, equity and the effectiveness of health programmes
- illuminate the pros and cons of alternative policy directions
Module learning outcomes
Having completed this module, students should be able to:
- identify and discuss the main topics of debate regarding the functioning of health systems in low-, middle- and high-income countries
- critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of techniques commonly used to analyse health systems and programmes in low-, middle- and high-income settings
- understand how standard economic methods may need to be adapted in low-, middle- and high-income contexts.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Students will submit an essay of 3,500 words, excluding tables, figures and appendices based on one of the course topics.
Reassessment will be a revise and resubmit of the original coursework
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Feedback will be given in line with University guidelines
Indicative reading
No one text fully covers the material required for the entire course. Key (and supplementary) readings will be provided for each topic. In addition, the following texts cover many of the topics discussed on the module:
Bhatia, M., and Mossialos, E., Health systems in developing countries, in: A. Hall and J. Midgley, Social Policy for Development, London, Sage, 2004. (basic)
Jack, W., Principles of Health Economics for Developing Countries, Washington, World Bank, 1999. (intermediate-advanced)
Witter, S., Ensor, T., Jowett, M., and Thompson, R., Health Economics in Developing Countries: A Practical Guide, Oxford, Macmillan, 2000. (basic)