Most developed economies spend substantial fractions of their incomes on improving health through investments in health enhancing activities, In health care markets, and other means. In particular, in the last half century there has been substantial growth in the amount of income devoted to health care expenditures. Also, in developed and developing countries alike the public sector is heavily involved in the both the financing and production of health care; about two thirds of health expenditures on average are made by the public sector. This course will discuss advanced topics in the economic aspects of health and health care markets. The discussion will be focused on, but not limited to, health care markets in the United States. Particular attention will be paid to the effects and role of public sector interventions in health care markets including the subsidization of health care demand and the regulation of health care production. The course is mainly aimed at doctoral students but also open to master's students with an economics background.
