James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

TM5526 - Public Health Economics

Subject Description

This subject provides a brief introduction to the discipline of health economics - a branch of health economics that aims to inform decision makers on how to best allocate available resources to maximise health benefit. This subject covers concepts including the fundamentals of economic theory; the role of health economics in health policy and the decision-making process; and an overview of how healthcare is financed. This subject provides students with the opportunity to understand the fundamentals of health economics and how it interacts with health policy, service design and service delivery without any prior knowledge of economics.

Learning Outcomes

• define and explain the concepts of economic theory and the challenges of applying this theory to health policy, service design and service delivery
• critically appraise the role of government in healthcare from an economic perspective
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current and historical models of healthcare financing from an economic perspective
• integrate theoretical and technical health economics knowledge to examine public health interventions from an economic perspective

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Briefing paper - (30%) - Individual
• Oral > Guided discussion - (40%) - Group

Note that 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.

Special Assessment Requirements

Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more to pass the subject.

Availabilities