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MPH Concentration in Health Systems and Policy
The MPH concentration in Health Systems and Policy aims to develop a broad understanding of health systems and approaches to the development and implementation of health policy. Students will learn about key health policy issues, health care systems and public policies and programs in the U.S. and in select low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It is possible for students in the concentration to follow either a U.S.-focused course of study, or one that addresses health systems and policy in low and middle income countries, or a mixed approach.
Through their coursework, students acquire a solid foundation in methods pertaining to policy analysis, the analysis of health systems (particularly, systems for health financing) and the application of economics and evaluation techniques in the health sector. The required curriculum provides students with a sound knowledge of the processes through which public policy decisions are made; training in basic quantitative and analytic methods; and the skills needed to use and critique data, research findings, and program evaluations in the development of health policies. The curriculum provides an overview of changes occurring in the U.S. and internationally in health sector policy and financing.
Concentration meetings and extra-curricular activities conducted as part of the concentration aim to build a community of practice among students, introduce students to possible career paths for professionals in this field and expose them to the workings of a variety of organizations concerned with health systems and polcies.
Course of Study
Health Systems- one of: 300.651 Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System 4 units 2nd term [Internet - 4th term] 309.670 Comparative Health Insurance 3 units 3rd term 221.646 Health Systems in Low and Middle-Income Countries 3 units 2nd term 221.652 Health Financing in Low and Middle Income Countries 3 units 3rd term 300.714 Health Policy IV: Health Policy Analysis & Synthesis
3 units 4th term 221.650 Health Policy Analysis in Low & Middle Income Countries 3 units 3rd term 305.607 Public Health Practice 4 units 2nd term [Internet - 4th term] 300.652 Politics of Health Policy 4 units 3rd term 308.602 Role of Government in Health Policy 3 units 4th term 301.645 Health Advocacy 3 units 4th term 221.645 Large Scale Effectiveness Evaluation of Health Programs 3 units 4th term 221.620 Using Summary Measures of Population Health to Improve Health Systems 4 units 4th term 221.644 Econometric Methods for Evaluation of Health Programs 4 units 4th term 313.641 Health Economics I 3 units 2nd term 380.611 Fundamentals of Program Evaluation 4 units 3rd term 300.713 Health Policy III: Research & Evaluation Methods for Health Policy 4 units 3rd term 221.638 Health Systems Research & Evaluation in Developing Countries 4 units 4th term 220.601 Introduction to International Health 4 units 1st term 300.711 Health Policy I: Social and Economic Determinants of Health 3 units 1st term 222.657 Food and Nutrition Policy 2 units 1st term 300.600 Introduction to Health Policy 4 units Internet Only - 1st term 317.600 Introduction to Risk Sciences and Public Policy 3 units 1st term [Internet - 3rd term[ 410.611 Health, Poverty and Public Policy in the U.S. 3 units 1st term (offered every other year; next offered 2012-13) 410.618 Integrating Social & Behavioral Theory into Public Health. Part I: Foundations* 4 units 1st term 313.790 Economic Evaluation I 3 units 2nd term - Internet Only 300.712 Health Policy II: Public Health Policy Formation 3 units 2nd term 221.614 International Political Sciences for Public Health Practitioners 2 units 2nd term 180.651 Energy Policy Choices and Public Health 2 units 3rd term 306.650 Public Health and the Law 3 units 3rd term 380.665 Family Planning Policies & Programs 4 units 3rd term 380.761 STI in Public Health Practice* 4 units 3rd term [Internet - 4th term] 551.605 Case Studies in Management Decision-Making 3 units 3rd term 180.629 Environmental and Occupational Health Law and Policy 4 units 3rd term 223.687 Vaccine Policy Issues 3 units 3rd term 300.652 Chronic Conditions: A Key Policy Problem for the 21st Century 3 units 3rd term 223.680 Global Disease Control Programs and Policies 4 units 4th term 380.667 Women's Health Policy 3 units 4th term 380.756 Poverty, Economic Development, and Health 4 units 4th term Capstone Experience
MPH students in the Health Systems and Policy concentration will be required to develop a project based on a health systems policy or health policy problem in the U.S. or internationally. Students should develop their project over the course of the academic year in close coordination with a faculty advisor. Students are required to register for the 2 unit MPH Capstone Course (XXX.800) in the fourth term under the direction of their capstone advisor. The capstone projects will be presented at an end-of-year MPH Capstone Symposium. Possible topics, grouped by general area of policy interest include:
- Evaluating the impact of legislation of health behaviors or outcomes
- Identifying and addressing financial, geographic, and cultural barriers to access to health care and developing policies to address these barriers and to improve equity
- Improving coordination (including information systems, contracting, and payment mechanisms) among the public sector, the private sector, and social security systems
- Expanding financial protection in health systems through for example, health insurance -- both public and private -- including raising revenues, pooling revenues, contracting for services and payment options, and setting levels of co-payments.
- Changing the organization of the health system, possibly including changes in the public-private mix of provision and/or financing of health care
- Use of information and incentives to effect changes in the behavior of health care providers and/or patients
- Developing appropriate policies and regulations for public health priority programs -- such as road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and tobacco control.
Faculty Concentration Directors
Sara Bleich, PhD, Assistant Professor, Health Policy and Management, 410-502-6604
Sara Bennett, PhD, Associate Professor, International Health, 410-614-5137