Introduction to Health Systems, Policy, and Management

This core course introduces students to the basic structures of the U.S. healthcare delivery and the public health service systems. Through a systems lens, the course centers a social-ecological notion of health that recognizes the interplay of political, social, economic, and environmental determinants in shaping the level and distribution of health in the population. Focusing on the US in contrast with other nations, the course introduces students to key concepts and functional domains of healthcare delivery, including access and quality, equity and efficiency, health insurance, and managed care. The course further focuses on public health efforts at the local, state, and federal levels, emphasizing application of ethical, evidence-based leadership, management, budgeting, emergency preparedness, partnership building, community engagement, advocacy, and negotiation strategies in public health practice. Policy development and implementation processes are also introduced with applications from major health-related legislation.

Fall, Spring, Summer