Health Economics
- Social Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 111 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of health economics. It explores the application of economic analysis to the health sector, covering topics such as health and development, healthcare financing, and economic evaluation of health programs. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to understand the economic implications of healthcare decisions and policies.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 26 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ECO449, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ECO449 · Unit 1: Introduction to Health Economics
This Module introduces you to the concepts of economics applicable to the health sector and the basic concepts of health economics. The units will guide you in understanding the basic concepts of health economics and the role of economics in health care.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of health economics.
- Apply economic tools to analyze health care issues.
- Evaluate different health care financing mechanisms.
- Assess the economic impact of health programs.
- Analyze the relationship between health and economic development.
What it prepares you for
- Health Economist
- Healthcare Manager
- Policy Analyst
- Public Health Consultant
- Health Insurance Specialist
- Healthcare Providers
- Government Health Agencies
- Health Insurance Companies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Non-profit Health Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Demand and Supply in Health care
Understanding the interplay of demand and supply requires grasping microeconomic principles and their specific application to the health sector, including factors like insurance and information asymmetry.
- Module 4: Economic Evaluation of Health Programme
Unit 4 Methods of Economic Evaluation of Health Programme
Requires understanding of statistical methods and ability to interpret complex data to determine the most efficient allocation of resources.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Introduction to Health Economics · 2 hours
Define health economics and its importance.. Understand basic economic concepts (scarcity, opportunity cost, utility).. Analyze the relationship between economy and health..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: The Role of Economics in Health Care · 2 hours
Discuss economic problems in the health sector.. Understand the special characteristics of the health care market.. Explore methods for measuring health status..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Demand and Supply in Health care · 2 hours
Understand the concepts of health care demand and supply.. Analyze reasons for differences in health care need and demand.. Examine elasticity of demand in health care..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: The Organisation of Health Services · 2 hours
Analyze problems with state provision of health services.. Examine the role of the private sector and competition.. Understand quasi-markets in the public sector..
- Week 5Module 2: Health and Development
Unit 1: Health Care and Health · 2 hours
Analyze health production models.. Understand deterministic influences on health.. Examine health as a result of a production process..
- Week 6Module 2: Health and Development
Unit 2: Health and Poverty · 2 hours
Define poverty and its impact on health.. Understand the relationship between economy and health problems.. Analyze how improved economy leads to improved health..
- Week 7Module 2: Health and Development
Unit 3: Health and Growth · 2 hours
Differentiate between economic growth and economic development.. Understand the health implications of economic development.. Analyze the interactions between economic growth and health..
- Week 8Module 3: Health Care Financing
Unit 1 Health Financing · 2 hours
Describe health care financing.. Describe major options in health care financing.. Learn about health insurance..
- Week 9Module 3: Health Care Financing
Unit 2 Health Insurance · 2 hours
Understand health insurance schemes.. Know the various types of health insurance schemes.. Identify problems encountered in health insurance schemes..
- Week 10Module 3: Health Care Financing
Unit 3:Health Care Financing in Nigeria · 2 hours
Understand the National Health Policy on health care financing.. Know the roles of different government tiers in health care financing.. Describe various health care financing options used in Nigeria..
- Week 11Module 3: Health Care Financing
Unit 4 National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria · 2 hours
Know the historical background of Health Insurance in Nigeria.. Know the objectives of the scheme and health care covered.. Understand how the scheme works..
- Week 12Module 4: Economic Evaluation of Health Programme
Unit 1 Budgeting · 2 hours
Understand and define budget.. Know and understand the various types of budget.. Be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of budgeting..
- Week 13Module 4: Economic Evaluation of Health Programme
Unit 2 Cost of Health Care · 2 hours
Understand the various types and elements of health care cost.. Be familiar with the reasons for the increasing cost of health care.. Understand cost containment strategies in health care delivery..
Unit 4 Methods of Economic Evaluation of Health Programme · 2 hours
Understand methods of economic evaluation.. Differentiate between Cost-Benefit Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.. Apply economic evaluation to healthcare programs..
Preparing for the exam
- Review key definitions and concepts from Units 1-4 in Module 1.
- Practice applying demand and supply models to healthcare scenarios (Unit 3, Module 1).
- Focus on understanding the different healthcare financing models discussed in Module 3.
- Study the methods of economic evaluation and their applications (Module 4).
- Create summaries of the main points in each unit, focusing on key economic principles.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and ensure you understand the solutions.
- Allocate sufficient time to practice applying economic concepts to real-world healthcare scenarios.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ECO449 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of health economics. It explores the application of economic analysis to the health sector, covering topics such as health and development, healthcare financing, and economic evaluation of health programs. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to understand the economic implications of healthcare decisions and policies.
How many units does ECO449 have?
ECO449, Health Economics, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 111 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ECO449?
ECO449 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.
Is ECO449 hard?
ECO449 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ECO449 take to study?
About 26 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is ECO449 assessed?
ECO449 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ECO449?
Health Economist, Healthcare Manager, Policy Analyst, Public Health Consultant and Health Insurance Specialist.