Principles in Health Economics and Policy

Examining the different structures and techniques involved in making decisions about who benefits from those health care resources available in a publicly funded system, this book provides a concise and compact introduction to health economics and policy.

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Principles in Health Economics and Policy is a clear and concise introduction to health economics and its application to health policy. It introduces the subject of economics, explains the fundamental failures in the market for health care, and discusses the concepts of equity and fairness when applied to health and health care. Written for students and health professionals with no background in economics, the book takes a policy-oriented approach, emphasising the application of economic analysis to universal health policy issues. It explores the key questions facing health policy-makers across the globe right now, such as: How should society intervene in the determinants that affect health? How should health care be financed? How should health care providers be paid? How should alternative health care programmes be evaluated when setting priorities? With relevant exercises and suggested further reading lists at the end of each chapter, Principles in Health Economics and Policy is the ideal resource for both students and health professionals.