OVERVIEW

Health Economics provides an advanced understanding of the economic principles and analytical tools applied to healthcare systems, policies and markets. Through theoretical lectures, case studies and empirical exercises, students learn to evaluate the allocation of healthcare resources, financing mechanisms and the impact of policy interventions on health outcomes.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing appropriate conceptual tools for understanding healthcare markets and the role played by information asymmetry in influencing market equilibria. Students will acquire the skills necessary to analyze and compare different healthcare systems, exploring issues related to financing, organization, and insurance models. Furthermore, they will learn to apply economic analysis to assess public and private health policies.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

• Equip students with the ability to apply economic analysis to health and healthcare;

• Develop competence in economic evaluation methods

• Foster critical assessment of health financing systems and policy reforms

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Apply demand and supply analysis to healthcare market

2. Evaluate the efficiency and equity implications of different health financing models (e.g., out-of-pocket payments, insurance schemes, tax-based systems)

3. Conduct economic evaluation of health interventions

4. Critically appraise the design and impact of major health policy interventions (e.g., DRG payments, tariffs, retrospective cost-reimbursement)

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and exercises

Students who hold valid certificates relating to Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the lecturer and the school’s disability liaison officer at the start of the course to agree on any teaching arrangements which, whilst respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning styles. 

The contact details for the university’s disability liaison officer are available at the following link: https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to Economics and Health Economics

• Characteristics of Health as an Economic Good

• Health Financing Systems and Recent Reforms

• Health Insurance: Risk, Uncertainty, and Information Asymmetry

• Economic Evaluation Methods

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The course is structured around teacher’s handouts and original papers, which will be made
available by aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&_lang=it&include=corso

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam: multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and exercises

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Continuous assessment: Two written mid-term assessment — one mid-course and one at the end — provide ongoing feedback on students’ understanding and progress

Final examination (alternative): A single written exam may be taken instead of the intermediate tests

FURTHER INFORMATION

Lecture Delivery Mode: lectures will be delivered in person and will not be available via webinar. However, all sessions will be recorded through Microsoft Teams to accommodate students who, for work or family reasons, are unable to attend live

Attendance: Participation in classes is optional; there is no distinction between attending and non-attending students in terms of assessment

Language of assessment: Students may choose to take their tests in either English or Italian

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) may request accommodations for exams at least 7 days prior to the exam date by filling out the “accommodation request form” (available via online services at https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti# no-back), which will be automatically forwarded by the system to the instructor in charge of the course and to the faculty liaison for students with disabilities and SLDs in their School/Department. 

The student will receive a copy of their request.