MPH Concentration in Comparative Health Systems & Policies
The MPH concentration in Comparative Health Systems & Policies develops skills and knowledge related to analysis and decision-making for health systems’ organization, financing, and service delivery – in the United States and internationally. The curriculum focuses on health policy analysis and formulation; financing, organization, and oversight of health systems; and policies and programs for disease prevention, injury control, and other public health priorities.
This concentration area is aimed at developing skills, knowledge, and attributes for policy-makers, policy analysts, and senior managers of health systems. The concentration emphasizes planning and managing national and international programs, institution building, and related analysis. Through their coursework, students acquire a solid foundation in policy analysis, an understanding of key health policy issues from a comparative perspective -- and substantive knowledge of health care systems and public policies and programs in the U.S. and in selected low, middle, and high-income countries.
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 policy. The curriculum provides an overview of changes occurring in the U.S. and internationally in health sector policy and financing – comparing countries at different levels of income and with varying health system infrastructures.
Topics include: the role of government in the health sector; sources of revenue for the health sector; health insurance systems; provider organization and payment methods; access to health care; and the policy-making process for the health sector and for specific public health areas -- for example, road traffic injuries and occupational health.
Course of Study
Students are required to complete the following courses: 300.712 Health Policy II: Public Health Policy Formulation 3 units 2nd term 221.609 Comparative Health Insurance 4 units 4th term 300.714 Health Policy IV: Health Policy Analysis & Synthesis 3 units 4th term Capstone Special Studies (See "Capstone Experience" below) 2 units 3rd or 4th terms Students take one of the following courses: 220.601 Introduction to International Health 4 units 1st term [Internet - 4th term] 300.651 Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System 4 units 2nd term [Internet -
4th term]223.680 Global Disease Control Programs & Policies 4 units 4th term Students take one of the following courses: 300.713 Health Policy III: Health Policy Research & Evaluation Methods 4 units 3rd term 313.630-631 Concepts and Applications in Economic Evaluation I & II 6 units 3rd & 4th terms 221.620 Using Summary Measures of Population Health to Improve Health Systems 4 units 4th term Additional Recommended Courses (not required) 221.688 Social & Behavioral Foundations of Primary Health Care* 4 units Internet Only - Summer term 222.657 Food and Nutrition Policy 2 units 1st term 300.600 Introduction to Health Policy 4 units Internet Only - 1st term 300.711 Health Policy I: Social & Economic Determinants of Health 3 units 1st term 317.712 Introduction to the 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 410.618 Integrating Social & Behavioral Theory into Public Health. Part I: Foundations* 4 units 1st term 313.641 Health Economics 4 units 2nd term 180.629 Environmental & Occupational Health Law & Policy 4 units 3rd term 221.614 International Political Sciences for Public Health Practitioners 2 units 3rd term 223.687 Vaccine Policy Issues 3 units 3rd term 300.652 Politics of Health Policy 4 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 Prevention: Using Epidemiology to Inform Policy & Programs* 4 units 3rd term [Internet - 4th term] 551.605 Case Studies in Management Decision-Making 3 units 3rd term 221.638 Health Systems Research & Evaluation in Developing Countries 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 Comparative Health Systems & Policies concentration will be required to develop a case study of a health systems policy problem, either in the U.S. or internationally. Students should develop the case study over the course of the academic year in close coordination with a faculty advisor. These case studies will be based on in-depth analysis and comparison of problems and alternatives for dealing with the problem. The comparison can be of a similar problem found in two health systems, or a comparison of at least two options for addressing the problem within one health system. Students in the concentration area should sign up for two credits of capstone special studies with their capstone advisor, preferably in the 3rd or 4th terms, for the development of the capstone project. The capstone projects will be presented at an end of the year MPH capstone symposium.
These case studies will be based on research of the issue in question, including analysis of applicable data, and will necessitate choices by decision-makers. The presentation will include leading class discussion through a systematic review of the case, including problem definition, stakeholder review, and consideration of options, including an assessment of their intended and unintended consequences.
Faculty Concentration Directors
Lisa Dubay, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Policy & Management, 410-502-0985
David Peters, MD, DrPH, MPH, Associate Professor, International Health, 410-502-5364
Damian Walker, PhD, Assistant Professor, International Health, 410-955-3928
Hugh Waters, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Policy & Management, 410-955-3928