The London School of Economics and Political Science
Health Economics and Policy
Gain key insights into the economic principles governing global healthcare, and explore how effective policy can be used to address contemporary challenges.
Start date
20 October 2021
Enroll by 12 October 2021
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
6–9 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The amount of people who will spend at least 10% of their household budgets on healthcare in 2020.
United Nations (2020).
The annual growth of global health spending between 2000 and 2017, compared to economic growth of 3%.
World Health Organization (2019).
Global healthcare is in transition. Since 2015, when the United Nations’ member states officially adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, global spending on healthcare has grown significantly. Unfortunately, low-income countries have lagged, managing only $41 per capita spent on health, compared to $2,937 in high-income countries.1 At the same time, advancement in technology has introduced new financial pressures, and healthcare labour markets are increasingly under threat.
The Health Economics and Policy online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) investigates the challenges facing healthcare and the economic principles that underpin the sector, while exploring policy proposals that could reduce inequality in the system. It’s been designed with faculty and experts from the Department of Health Policy at LSE, which aims to influence and improve how health policy is designed, implemented, and evaluated through multidisciplinary research and teaching. Experts from the Department have made substantive contributions to health planning and delivery on the global stage.
On the course, you’ll gain insight into healthcare financing and universal health coverage, and the complexities of the healthcare labour market. Ultimately, you’ll develop a balanced view of health and social justice, allowing you to assess healthcare’s inequalities and social determinants.
1 World Health Organization (2019).
This Health Economics and Policy online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to provide you with the tools to understand the economics of the healthcare sector, and the policy solutions that can be used to address inequality. Professionals engaged in analysis, advocacy, and policy formulation will gain a contemporary understanding of healthcare economics, and its impact on topics including health funding and workforce dynamics. For those in the healthcare sector, this course will provide a global context on the state of the industry. The skills it teaches will prove beneficial to social scientists, public health specialists, and medical staff, whether working in health agencies, governments, or NGOs.
For finance and economics professionals, this course offers insight into the economic challenges facing the healthcare sector. Participants will gain new perspectives on the economics of health insurance financing systems and the healthcare workforce, and how these can impact outcomes across contexts.
Course overview
Introduction
Global healthcare is in transition. Since 2015, when the United Nations’ member states officially adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, global spending on healthcare has grown significantly. Unfortunately, low-income countries have lagged, managing only $41 per capita spent on health, compared to $2,937 in high-income countries.1 At the same time, advancement in technology has introduced new financial pressures, and healthcare labour markets are increasingly under threat.
The Health Economics and Policy online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) investigates the challenges facing healthcare and the economic principles that underpin the sector, while exploring policy proposals that could reduce inequality in the system. It’s been designed with faculty and experts from the Department of Health Policy at LSE, which aims to influence and improve how health policy is designed, implemented, and evaluated through multidisciplinary research and teaching. Experts from the Department have made substantive contributions to health planning and delivery on the global stage.
On the course, you’ll gain insight into healthcare financing and universal health coverage, and the complexities of the healthcare labour market. Ultimately, you’ll develop a balanced view of health and social justice, allowing you to assess healthcare’s inequalities and social determinants.
1 World Health Organization (2019).
This Health Economics and Policy online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to provide you with the tools to understand the economics of the healthcare sector, and the policy solutions that can be used to address inequality. Professionals engaged in analysis, advocacy, and policy formulation will gain a contemporary understanding of healthcare economics, and its impact on topics including health funding and workforce dynamics. For those in the healthcare sector, this course will provide a global context on the state of the industry. The skills it teaches will prove beneficial to social scientists, public health specialists, and medical staff, whether working in health agencies, governments, or NGOs.
For finance and economics professionals, this course offers insight into the economic challenges facing the healthcare sector. Participants will gain new perspectives on the economics of health insurance financing systems and the healthcare workforce, and how these can impact outcomes across contexts.
What will set you apart
An understanding of key economic principles governing the healthcare sector, such as supply and demand, and efficiency and equity.
A nuanced perspective on healthcare financing systems and how they can be utilised to realise true universal health coverage.
Insight into the complexities of the healthcare labour market, including workforce planning and forecasting, workforce shortages, and external shocks.
A balanced view of health and social justice based on assessing health inequalities and deconstructing the social determinants of health.
The ability to engage in discussions surrounding fairness in health delivery, alongside a network of experienced working professionals from the healthcare sector.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Economic principles applied to healthcare
Module 2
Health financing systems
Module 3
The healthcare labour market
Module 4
Paying healthcare providers
Module 5
The market for pharmaceuticals
Module 6
Health and social justice
Get course prospectus
Course convenors
Who you'll learn from
Professor Alistair McGuire
Professor of Health Economics and Head of Department, Department of Health Policy, LSE
Dr Miqdad Asaria
Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, LSE Health
Dr Laia Maynou-Pujolras
LSE Fellow and Research Officer, Department of Health Policy, LSE
About the certificate
Learn about healthcare economics and policy, and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
