Health and Development_SS 2026

Course Description:

The relationship between health and economic development is central to understanding global inequalities and policy challenges across countries. Differences in health systems, socio-economic conditions, and institutional environments shape health outcomes and human capital formation worldwide. This course examines how health and development interact, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries as well as comparative perspectives from high-income settings. Drawing on current empirical research and real-world policy debates, students engage with economic theories, applied research designs, and evidence-based evaluations of health policies and development interventions.

Covered Topics:

  • Economic mechanisms linking health, poverty, and development outcomes

  • Structures, financing, and performance of health systems in developing and emerging economies

  • Household decision-making under risk, health shocks, and uncertainty

  • Health providers, informality, and market structures in the health sector

  • Public policies including health insurance, social protection programmes, and preventive interventions

  • Empirical evaluation of health reforms and development programmes

  • Policy challenges related to inequality, access to care, and health system governance

  • Applied empirical strategies and research designs in Health and Development Economics

Learning Targets:

Students taking this course will:

  • Develop an understanding of key debates and contemporary research at the intersection of health and development economics

  • Learn how to critically assess empirical studies and policy evaluations in diverse country contexts

  • Gain familiarity with applied research designs and empirical strategies commonly used in development and health economics

  • Acquire the ability to interpret empirical evidence and translate research findings into policy-relevant insights

  • Strengthen analytical skills through critical discussion of research papers, empirical exercises, and applied policy analysis

ePortfolio: No