CGH 349F - US Health Policy

Do you ever wonder why despite being the wealthiest country in the world, Americans are sicker and in poorer health on average than elsewhere? Or why our health care and pharmaceutical costs are higher? Or why there are disparities in health by income, race and ethnicity? Do you wonder why legislators in California and Vermont have proposed the adoption of universal insurance through a single payor system? How about what we can do to improve the situation and what the tradeoffs are? Do you wonder what the future portends for students as they enter the workforce and must face their own health choices? This class will tackle these questions by studying our country’s health policy choices, those of other countries, and what we can do to improve health in communities and for individuals. And, we will stay up-to date with proposed changes in health policy in Washington. To understand health policy we will ensure an understanding of topics which underpin all of current policies including the socio economics determinants of health, the costs of care, paying for care, health disparities, how patients should be treated including collaboration and integration of care, access to care, our health workforce. The class will feature several very well-known and prominent guest speakers including physicians, hospital executives and others who will share their views of health policy issues and meet the members of class.
Units: 1 - 4
Pre-requisite: CGH 303 or CGH 303C
Course Type: Seminar