Università Roma Tre

This course explores the impact of demographics, infrastructure, political and public will, global economic conditions, and geopolitical circumstances on health care systems. Evidence-based health policy research points to the need to carefully assess health care delivery systems in individual countries in order to identify initiatives, patterns, and mechanisms that have most likely contributed to successful reforms and sustainable financing arrangements. Comparisons will be made among the different regional actors with special reference to the debate on health care in the US. Different countries commonly have different goals and motivations for introducing certain health care policies and interventions. Students will learn about, assess, and understand these unique interests, needs, and historical experiences that shape current health care at the national level. Visits to private and public health institutions in the host country are included.

The course is taught in English.

Readings:

WHO’s Health Care Systems in Transition series is an excellent source to look at the health care system of a country. http://www.euro.who.int/en/aboutus/partners/observatory/health-systems-in-transition-hit-series.
Berman P, Bitran R. “Health Systems Analysis for Better Health System Strengthening.” World Bank Health, Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Discussion Paper, May 2011. 10
Bhattacharya J, Hyde T and Tu P. Health Economics. Basingstoke: PalgraveMacmillan, 2013.
CSDH. Closing the gap in a generation. Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Final report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Geneva, World Health Organisation 2008.
Dörner D. The logic of failure: Recognizing and avoiding error in complex situations. New York: Basic Books; 1996.
Kahneman D. Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011
McMichael AJ, Beaglehole R. “The Changing Global Context of Public Health”. Lancet 2000; 356: 495–499.