410.611.01 HEALTH, POVERTY AND PUBLIC POLICY IN THE U.S.

Explores the relationship between health, poverty, and public policy in the U.S. and assesses past and future strategies to remedy inequities in health and health care. Addresses theories of social stratification in the U.S.; distribution of poverty across gender, age, and ethnic/racial groups; antipoverty programs and their effects; effects of changes in health care organization on the poor; and possible modifications to provide greater equity. Guest lecturers include physicians and public administrators working in programs designed to meet the needs of poor communities.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. explain different definitions of poverty and how each definition impacts public policy;

2. understand current social science and public health approaches to poverty;

3. critique/appraise historical strategies and programs undertaken to address the health care problems of the poor;

4. describe how poverty and health status are related to one another in the U.S.;

5. identify specific populations of Americans at risk of poverty and understand why they are specifically at risk; and

6. evaluate the public policy options currently available for improving the health of the poor.