Health Economics

Subject ECON30023 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2016.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

The following:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1
12.50

AND one of:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects:

None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

jenny.williams@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The focus of this unit is on the application of economic analysis to study the consumption and production of health. The main objectives of this subject are to develop an understanding of: (1) the underlying economic frameworks appropriate to study health and health care, and (2) the impact of market failures in the provision of health care and the role for government policy. Topics covered may include production of health, demand for health (including the demand for health “bads”), moral hazard and adverse selection in health insurance markets, health labour markets, including physician-patient interactions, the institutions of the Australian system of health care, health policy and evaluation techniques.
Learning Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic economic concepts used in the study of health economics
  • Apply appropriate economic tools to analyse the behaviour of the various agents in the provision and consumption of health care.
  • Describe the major government programs and institutional features in the provision of health care in Australia and the debates currently surrounding these programs.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main empirical tools used in the analysis of issues in health economics.
Assessment:

A 2-hour end-of-semester exam (60%) tutorial participation (10%) and assignments not exceeding 3000 words (30%).
Prescribed Texts:

The Economics of Health and Health Care by Folland, Goodman and Stano.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information.

  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; statistical reasoning; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

Download PDF version.