Module Code - Title:
EC6081
-
HEALTH ECONOMICS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to study the advanced microeconomics of health and healthcare, covering theory and empirical evidence. The emphasis is on the interpretation of microeconomic models and the most current empirical evidence. The course provides a comprehensive set of economic tools to critically appraise fundamental issues in the economics of health while offering a broad overview of health care systems around the world.
Upon completion of this module, students will have gained further experience of how to apply microeconomic principles to address issues of resource allocation, be able to argue coherently about the efficiency of allocation mechanisms, and have the developed their awareness of methodological issues surrounding the effectiveness of policies
Syllabus:
The syllabus is designed to examine a variety of aspects within the economics of health care, including methods for cost-effectiveness analysis and the economics of health behaviours and addictions. The range of topics to be undertaken is outlined below.
1. The Production of Health
2. The Medical Labour Market
3. Health-Care Insurance Part 1: Demand for Insurance
4. Health-Care Insurance Part 2: Information Economics & Adverse Selection
5. Health-Care Insurance Part 3: Moral Hazard
6. The Economics of Health Behaviours and Addictions
7. Economics of Pandemics and Public Health
8. Cost-benefit analysis principles in health
9. Methods for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health Economics
10. Technology, Pharmaceuticals and the Economics of Innovation
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Show an understanding of the implications of theoretical models and empirical work in health economics in relation to policy issues.
2. Critically evaluate the theoretical literature relating to health economics.
3. Assess the quality of empirical work published in the area of health economics.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Communicate and present complex arguments in oral and written form with clarity and succinctness.
2. Engage in abstract thinking by extracting the essential features of complex systems to facilitate problem solving and decision-making.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be delivered using standard lectures. Lectures will focus on the application of economic concepts to policy issues within healthcare. Guest speakers may also be involved within the delivery of the module to expose students to contemporary research findings in the area.
The University of Limerick Graduate Attributes will be developed by: Broadening students' knowledge and proactivity through encouraging independent and directed research; emphasising student's responsibility to organise their time in an efficient manner and to work to specific deadlines.
The module will draw from recent policy developments and published research in the relevant topics to help extend student's understanding.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
1. Bhattacharya, Jay, Timothy Hyde and Peter Tu. (2013)
Health Economics.
, Palgrave MacMillan
Other Relevant Texts:
Folland, S., A.C. Goodman, M. Stano, & S. Danagoulian (2024)
The Economics of Health and Health Care 9th Edition
, Routledge
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSECPATFA - ECONOMICS AND POLICY ANALYSIS
MSEPLITFA - ECONOMICS AND POLICY ANALYSIS (DOUBLE DEGREE)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
vincent.osullivan@ul.ie