Course Overview:
"Health Economics Essentials: Evaluating Costs, Access, and Policy in Public Health" is a dynamic Health Economics Course designed for professionals seeking to understand and apply economic principles in healthcare decision-making. This Health Economics Training provides foundational and advanced insights into the interactions between economic theory, public health, and policy. It covers key topics such as Economic Evaluation in Healthcare, Healthcare Financing Course components, Cost-Effectiveness in Health, and the principles of Healthcare Resource Allocation. Participants will explore how market behaviors, government roles, and health financing systems shape healthcare access, equity, and efficiency.
The course utilizes real-world case studies, interactive tools, and policy simulations to equip learners with the skills to make informed economic decisions within their organizations. Whether you're new to health economics or managing national Universal Health Coverage Training programs, this course bridges theory with practical application. It also integrates current Public Health Economics research and Health Policy and Economics concepts with tools like SPSS and Excel to analyze expenditure, budget, and cost-benefit scenarios. This Introduction to Health Economics equips you with the knowledge to transform economic insights into strategic public health action.
Target Audience:
- Public Health Specialists
- Health Program Managers
- Policy Analysts
- Budget and Finance Officers in Healthcare
- Healthcare Providers and Administrators
- Health Economists in training
- Mid-level Government Health Officials
Targeted Organizational Departments:
- Public Health Departments
- Healthcare Budgeting & Finance Units
- Health Policy & Planning Divisions
- Monitoring & Evaluation Units
- Health Information Systems and Research Units
- Program Implementation Teams
These departments will benefit from tools and concepts covered under keywords like Health Economics Training, Economic Evaluation in Healthcare, and Universal Health Coverage Training.
Targeted Industries:
- Public Health Organizations
- Government Health Ministries
- International Development Agencies
- Health Insurance & Financing Institutions
- NGOs focused on maternal, child health, and HIV/AIDS
- Research & Academic Institutions working on Health Policy and Economics
Course Offerings:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain core concepts of Health Economics and their relevance to the health system
- Conduct Economic Evaluation in Healthcare (including cost-effectiveness, utility, and benefit analysis)
- Apply health financing principles to support equity and access
- Utilize tools like Excel and SPSS to analyze healthcare budgets and resource allocation
- Develop and critique policy briefs using Health Policy and Economics frameworks
- Assess healthcare expenditure and propose reforms for Universal Health Coverage
- Conduct public health research using health economics methodologies
Training Methodology:
The course employs a blended and interactive methodology rooted in adult learning principles. Each session integrates theoretical presentations with hands-on application. Participants engage in case studies, group discussions, simulation exercises, and real-life problem-solving activities. Field-based scenarios and guided analysis using tools like SPSS and Excel offer participants exposure to applied Public Health Economics and resource management techniques. Participants will present findings, work on local budgeting issues, and perform Cost-Effectiveness in Health simulations to deepen understanding.
The Health Economics Training design emphasizes peer learning, feedback sessions, and structured reflections. Facilitators provide mentoring throughout, reinforcing Health Policy and Economics understanding. These methods ensure the transfer of learning from the Introduction to Health Economics theory into a tangible workplace impact.
Course Toolbox:
- Course Workbook (digital)
- Case Study Repository (with sample national and international examples)
- Excel Budget Templates
- SPSS Data Sets for Practice
- Health Expenditure Analysis Checklists
- Policy Brief Writing Guide
- Economic Evaluation Calculation Tools (examples only)
- List of open-access resources in Public Health Economics
Note: Tools are not provided, but insight into their use and examples are included.
Course Agenda:
Day 1: Foundations of Health Economics
- Topic 1: Definition & Scope of Health Economics (Health Economics Course)
- Topic 2: Micro and Macro Principles in Health Economics (Introduction to Health Economics)
- Topic 3: Economic Objectives: Efficiency, Equity, Effectiveness
- Topic 4: Healthcare Market Dynamics: Supply & Demand
- Topic 5: The Role of Health Economics in Health Policy and Reform
- Topic 6: Theoretical Frameworks of Health Behavior and Decision-Making
- Reflection & Review: Aligning Economic Concepts with Real Health System Needs
Day 2: Economic Evaluation in Healthcare
- Topic 1: Introduction to Economic Evaluation (Economic Evaluation in Healthcare)
- Topic 2: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) for Health Programs
- Topic 3: Cost-Benefit and Cost-Utility Analysis Methods
- Topic 4: Budget Impact Assessment in Healthcare
- Topic 5: Applying SPSS and Excel in Evaluation Exercises
- Topic 6: Case Study on HIV/AIDS Program Cost Analysis
- Reflection & Review: Translating Data into Policy Recommendations
Day 3: Healthcare Financing Principles
- Topic 1: Revenue Collection and Risk Pooling Mechanisms (Healthcare Financing Course)
- Topic 2: Purchasing Models and Payment Mechanisms
- Topic 3: Health Expenditure and Budgeting for Universal Health Coverage
- Topic 4: Evaluating Financing Options: Public-Private Mix
- Topic 5: Designing Equitable and Sustainable Benefit Packages
- Topic 6: Efficiency and Transparency in Healthcare Financing
- Reflection & Review: Local Challenges in Health Financing Structures
Day 4: Policy, Systems & Resource Allocation
- Topic 1: Strategic Health Planning and Logical Frameworks
- Topic 2: Results-Based Budgeting and Resource Allocation Tools
- Topic 3: Writing and Reviewing Evidence-Based Health Policy Briefs
- Topic 4: Decentralized vs. Centralized Health Systems
- Topic 5: Monitoring and Evaluation of Health System Reforms
- Topic 6: Healthcare Resource Allocation and Prioritization Techniques
- Reflection & Review: Sharing Departmental Applications and Insights
Day 5: Applied Health Economics and Leadership
- Topic 1: Applied Research Methods in Health Economics
- Topic 2: Designing and Managing Health Economic Research Projects
- Topic 3: Developing and Presenting Economic Research Proposals
- Topic 4: Leadership Skills for Health Economists and Policy Developers
- Topic 5: Real-World Case Studies on Financing Reform and Equity
- Topic 6: Final Presentations: Policy Briefs and Budget Evaluations
- Reflection & Review: Consolidating Knowledge for Field Application
FAQ:
What specific qualifications or prerequisites are needed for participants before enrolling in the course?
No formal training in economics is required. This course is designed for health professionals, administrators, and policymakers with or without prior exposure to Health Economics.
How long is each day's session, and is there a total number of hours required for the entire course?
Each day's session is generally structured to last around 4-5 hours, with breaks and interactive activities included. The total course duration spans five days, approximately 20-25 hours of instruction.
What’s the difference between economic evaluation and financial accounting in health?
While financial accounting tracks actual expenditures and budgets, economic evaluation in healthcare compares the costs and benefits of alternative health interventions to determine which provides the best value for money. This course provides training to conduct such evaluations.
How This Course is Different from Other Health Economics Courses:
Unlike standard Health Economics Courses that focus purely on theory, "Health Economics Essentials: Evaluating Costs, Access, and Policy in Public Health" is built on practical application. This course includes structured fieldwork, applied case studies on HIV/AIDS and maternal health, and real-time data exercises using SPSS and Excel. It introduces participants to tools and frameworks aligned with real-world policy implementation, such as Universal Health Coverage Training and Cost-Effectiveness in Health assessment.
Participants learn not only the core theory behind Health Policy and Economics but also how to evaluate, design, and defend actual financing and policy reforms. By combining Public Health Economics research with dynamic training methods, this course ensures that learners leave with actionable skills to transform systems, programs, and budgets in their organizations. Whether for field managers or national policymakers, the course bridges the critical gap between introduction and execution in Health Economics.
