This is a 4th year Economics Course. If your major is not "Economics", consider choosing another course. Consider enrolling only if you have taken the following courses: Industrial Economics, Microeconomic Theory, Econometrics.

The main objectives of this course are: 1) Learn the main characteristics of the most common health systems. 2) Learn the main economic problems and challenges associated with the main health systems and the economic models that were developed to explain them. 3) Discuss and offer solutions to these problems based on economic models and knowledge. 4) Study the main contributions in the literature related to these topics. By the end of the course, the student should have acquired the knowledge and skills proposed in the syllabus of the course, as well as the capacity to: 1) Analyse the problems of health systems using economic tools; 2) Find and select the economic literature on health economics themes. 3) Opportunity to improve his/her presentation skills.

K1: Understand democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, non-discrimination, universal accessibility principles, and the fight against climate change. K3: Acquire knowledge of the theories and techniques specific to Economics, employing appropriate terminology and the scientific method. K4: To understand the functioning of the economy as the efficient allocation of scarce resources, including the importance of equity. K6: Comprehend the economic and social impact of various public policies on different agents and in diverse socioeconomic contexts. K7: Understand the economic variables that regulate the economy and govern the behaviour of agents. K8: Understanding economic institutions K9: Identify the economic, political, and social framework for the activities of various economic, political, or social agents. S5: Formulate, debate, and defend critical and ethical arguments related to Economics. S8: Formally representing economic decision-making processes S11: Describe and analyze economic problems within a specific social context. C6: Integrate democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, into the professional sphere.

Syllabus Health Economics 2014-2015 1) Introduction: Why is Health Economics Important? [Stiglitz, chp 12.] 2) The Health Production Function [Phelps chp. 3]. Individual and aggregate data. 3) Evaluation Methods [Zweifel chp2.] 4) Health Systems: 4.1. General Features - [J. Hurst] 4.2. Payment Methods 4.3. Regulation of Pharmacies: [García Fontes and Massimo Motta] 4.5. Ethics, Efficacy, Effectiveness and Efficiency [FGS chp. 1, 4; Zweifel chp 1, 4, Ortún chp1; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3] 4.4. Equity [Rodríguez, Calonge and Reñe (1988) , Rodríguez and Calonge (1998)] 5) Health Insurance 5.1. Demand for Health Insurance [Phelps, chp 10; FGS pp 185-187] 5.2. Moral Hazard and Copayments [FGS pp 270-275; McGuire pp 189-193; Murillo 1992] 5.3 Adverse Selection: the Rothschild and Stiglitz Model [FGS 151-162 and 289-292; Stiglitz (1993) - Ariel Economía pp 175-180; Rothschild and Stiglitz (1976)- not a mandatory reading] 6) Topic to be announced

Such as other courses in Grado, there are: 1) Theory classes 2) Practical classes where the number of students is typically smaller. In Practical classes, students are suppose to solve exercises and if time allows present a topic. When the professor of both classes is the same person, there will be no distinction between theory and practical classes. You can expect the professor to go through theory and exercises in the same class.