Week Three

The Economic Approach to Evaluating Obesity, 313.843.11

1 academic credit
June 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Kevin Frick, PhD

Introduces students to the economics of evaluating obesity. Focuses on attributable health care expenditures, quality adjusted life years, productivity changes, consumer sovereignty, and the incentives and regulations that can be used to change individual adult, parent, and child behavior. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based a final paper. The paper will be due within a month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignment will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

*May be used towards the certificate in Public Health Economics
Public health economics sequence.

The economics of Tobacco Control, 313.841.11

1 academic credit
June 22, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Hugh Waters, PhD

Introduces students to the economic tools and analysis used to confront the public health challenges caused by smoking. Reviews the evidence of the health and economic consequences of tobacco use. Emphasizes the rationale for increases in taxes, financial incentives to discontinue tobacco cultivation, and regulatory measures such as bans on smoking in public places and restrictions on access for minors. Provides economic tools and background information for public health specialists, policymakers, the news media, and others interested in using evidence-based policy to prioritize and address public health concerns related to tobacco control. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on a final paper which is due within one month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignment will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

*May be used towards the certificate in Public Health Economics
Public health economics sequence.

The Economics of Alcohol Control, 313.842.11

 1 academic credit
June 23, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Hugh Waters, PhD

Introduces students to economic tools and analysis used to confront the public health challenges of alcohol abuse. Reviews the evidence of the health and economic consequences of alcohol abuse. Emphasizes the rationale for increases in taxes and regulatory measures such as restrictions on access for minors. Provides economic tools and background information for public health specialists, policymakers, the news media, and others interested in using evidence-based policy to prioritize and address public health concerns related to alcohol abuse. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on a final paper which is due within one month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignment will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

*May be used towards the certificate in Public Health Economics
Public health economics sequence.

Patient Safety in Developing Countries, 309.781.11

2 academic credits
June 22-23, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Albert Wu, MD, MPH

This course provides an introduction to the rapidly evolving field of patient safety in developing countries, with a focus on health systems improvement. It explains the role of global organizations, national governments, institutions, local communities, and individuals in improving patient safety in developing countries. The course reviews key global patient safety resources that can be utilized to enhance patient safety in developing country health systems. Students learn how to utilize a “problem solving paradigm” to patient safety, conduct a patient safety situational analysis, and develop an action plan for patient safety at the institutional level. The use of patient safety partnerships between hospitals is explored as a model for inter-continental collaboration. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on class participation and a short paper on patient safety action planning. This short paper will be due within a month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignments will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

Healthcare management sequence.

Pharmaceuticals: Policy and Management Issues, 309.770.11

2 academic credits
June 24-25, 2010. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Alan Lyles, ScD, MPH, Rph

Pharmacists and non-pharmacist managers and clinicians are routinely involved in decisions that determine pharmacy benefits, access to specific medications, and the ability to manage drug budgets. Among the key issues confronting policy-makers and their staff are the need to balance access to essential medications for those who cannot afford them with government budgetary constraints, and regulating information provided directly to consumers by pharmaceutical companies. The objective of this course is to provide a background and context for this range of decisions. Topics include: FDA drug approval process, direct-to-consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals, pharmacy benefit design options, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies, disease management, drug use review/evaluation, accountability/quality reporting such as NCQA/HEDIS measures, and state initiatives to make pharmaceuticals more affordable to the uninsured, older poor. From a medication perspective, this course connects
material from risk management, QA, decision analysis, managed care, and insurance. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on a short paper which will be due within one month after the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignment will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

Public health economics sequence; healthcare management sequence.

Healthcare and Congress: Perspective from K Street, 308.680.11

2 academic credits
June 21-22, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Patrick Hope, JD

This course examines the role and function of the authorizing committees of Congress, focusing on the politics of medical malpractice reform, Medicare reimbursement, and the uninsured. The role of congressional lobbyists in shaping health care policy will be considered, including coalition building, knowing your opponents, organizing grassroots and campaign contribution efforts, identifying key members of Congress and staff, working with the Administration, testifying on Capitol Hill, and knowing what and what not to tell a constituency.  Using a case-study approach, the course will examine the process of how an idea goes from an organization into federal or state law.  Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on class participation and a final paper.  The final paper will be due within one month of the conclusion of the course.  No assignments will be accepted after August 6, 2010.

Health policy sequence.