TM5526 - Public Health Economics

[Offered in even-numbered years]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2008
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	Discipline of Public Health & Tropical Medicine

This subject presents an introduction to economic principles as they apply to health systems. The principles discussed include: supply and demand, market structure, cost theory, efficiency, elasticity, market failure and resource allocation. Special topics vary from year to year and have addressed health insurance, casemix, expenditure for Indigenous health services and international health.

Learning Outcomes

• apply the analytical tools used by economists;
• discuss health care choices in economic terms;
• discuss the concept of equity, efficiency and market failure;
• explain the market interaction of demand, supply and marketplace;
• explain the potential impact of fiscal and monetary policy on economic growth;
• explain the various economic cost concepts and apply these to the production of health;
• interpret economic arguments presented in the popular press and the professional literature;
• understand some of the interrelationships between health and economic development;
• use graphical analysis to explain economic relationships;
• use well reasoned economic arguments to support or criticise a health care proposal.

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 10
Census Date 19-Dec-2008
Face to face teaching 17-Nov-2008 to 28-Nov-2008
Coord/Lect:	Dr Alan Hauquitz.
Assessment:	quizzes or tests (50%); presentations (25%); assignments (25%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.