SUBJECT

Introduction to health policy

lecture

master

Faculty of Social Sciences

Health Policy, Planning and Financing (Specialization in Health Economics) MSc (part time)

4

Semester 1

Autumn semester

The purpose of this course is to enable students for (i) the analysis of health systems and their performance and (ii) the evaluation of possible strategies and tools of health system reforms, as well as factors influencing the health policy process.

The first part of the course introduces key concepts of health systems analysis and performance measurement; including health system objectives, functions, actors and organisational structures. The second part of the course analyzes possible strategies and tools aimed at achieving key health policy goals. The course also discusses the key issues of realizing health system reforms.

The course puts a great emphasis on the team-work and presentations by the students. The task of the team-work is the presentation of the key characteristics of a given country’s health system. (The requirements of the team-works and the home works will be handed in a separate material.) 

• Kutzin,J. (2010) Conceptual framework for analysing health financing systems and the effects of reforms. In: Kutzin,J. et.al. (eds) Implementing Health Financing Reform. Lessons from countries in transition. World Health Organization 2010, on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Chapter 1. pp.3-22 http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/partners/observatory/studies
• Smith, P.C. (ed.) (2009) Performance measurement for health system improvement: experiences, challenges and prospects, Cambridge University Press, 2009 (6.1. Conclusions. pp.675-681)  http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/partners/observatory/studies
• Kutzin,J. (2010) Conceptual framework for analysing health financing systems and the effects of reforms. In: Kutzin,J. et.al. (eds) Implementing Health Financing Reform. Lessons from countries in transition. World Health Organization 2010, on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Chapter 1. 3-22. http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/partners/observatory/studies
• Tandon, A. and Cashin, C. (2010), Assessing Public Expenditure on Health from a Fiscal Space Perspective (Washington, DC: World Bank). pp.11-16 http://siteresources.worldbank.org/HEALTHNUTRITIONANDPOPULATION/Resources/281627-1095698140167/AssesingPublicExpenditureFiscalSpace.pdf
• WHO/AFRO (2013) State of health financing in the African Region, pp.8-22 http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/hss/health-financing-a-social-protection.html
• Thomson, S. et.al. (2009) Financing health care in the European Union.  World Health Organization on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, pp.7-47 http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/98307/E92469.pdf
• Cheng, T.M. and Reinhardt U.E. (2012) Perspective on the Appropriate Role of the Private Sector in Meeting Health Care Needs. In: Benedict Clements, B. et.al. (eds) The Economics of Public Health Care Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies, International Monetary Fund (Available at the CooSpace)
• Hsiao, W. and Heller, P. (2007) What Should Macroeconomists Know About Health Policy? IMF Working Paper. WP/07613. International Monetary Fund. Chapter II and III pp. 12-24. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2007/wp0713.pdf
• Mladovsky,P.et.al. (2012) Health policy in the financial crisis. Eurohealth, Vl.18, No.1 http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/162959/Eurohealth_Vol-18_No-1_web.pdf
• Hsiao, W. and Heller, P. (2007) What Should Macroeconomists Know About Health Policy? IMF Working Paper. WP/07613. International Monetary Fund; Chapter IV. Health Policy Challenges and Issues Confronting Nations, p.25-35
• Preker, A.S. et. al (eds) 2013. Scaling Up Affordable Health Insurance. The World Bank.  https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/13836  Chapters as follows:
• Preker, A.S. Introduction: Public Options, Private Choices. Pp. 1-9
• Chapter 2: Scheil-Adlung, X: Health Protection: More Than Financial Protection. Pp. 13-45
• Chapter 6: Universal Coverage: A Global Consensus, pp.101-111
• OECD (2010) Value for Money in Health Spending, OECD, Paris, Chapter 2: Policies for Health Care Systems when Money is tight. Pp.43-75.  (Available at the CooSpace)
• Thomson, S. et al (2009), Financing Health Care in the European Union. Observatory Studies Series No.17. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen. Chapter 3. Health care financing reforms: options, trends and
• Kelley,E. and Hurst,J. (2006) Health Care Quality Indicators Project Conceptual Framework OECD HEALTH WORKING PAPERS No.23, pp.14-17 (A proposed conceptual framework for the hcqi project; How, in principle, should quality of care be measured?)  http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/36262363.pdf
• OECD (2004) Towards High-Performing Health Systems. The OECD Health Project. OECD Publishing, Paris. Chapter Chapter 1. Better health through better care: the quest for quality. Pp. 21-37 (Available at the CooSpace)
• Smith, P. (2012) What is the scope for health system efficiency gains and how can they be achieved? – Peter C. Smith Eurohealth, Vol18.No.3. pp.3-6. http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/partners/observatory/eurohealth
• OECD (2010) Value for Money in Health Spending, OECD, Paris, Chapter 2: Policies for Health Care Systems when Money is tight. Pp.43-75 (Available at the CooSpace)
• Solar O, Irwin A (2010) A conceptual framework for action ont he social determinants of health. Social Determinants of Health Discussion Paper 2. World Health Organization, Geneva, pp.20-63
• Roberts, M.J.(et.al) (2008) Getting Health Reform Right. Qxford University Press. Chapter 2. pp. 21-37;