300.652.98 POLITICS OF HEALTH POLICY

Analyzes the politics of health policy according to the dictum of one of the founders of public health, R. Virchow, “Public Health is a Social Science and Politics is Public Health in its most profound sense.” Focuses on the political reasons for the underdevelopment of health and health care in the U.S. and in the world. Looks at how economic, social, and political power are reproduced through political institutions, and the consequences on the level of health and type of health care that countries have. Critiques the role of national and international agencies such as the WTO, World Bank, IMF, and WHO in facilitating and/or hindering development of health. Also focuses on U.S. governmental policies that diminish or increase the maldistribution of power outside and within the health sector.