Students will gain understanding of healthcare systems in different countries and learn to critically analyse their effectiveness and impact on health outcomes and inequalities. The course will address current challenges that healthcare systems face, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability. Key microeconomic concepts relevant to healthcare — such as market failures and stakeholders' incentives — will be explored. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions, develop their own research questions, and articulate informed policy positions.
For students enrolled in the Czech program (Ekonomie a finance): V případě zájmu o internship v sektoru zdravotnictví, kontaktujte Janu Votápkovou. Internship je možný u poskytovatele zdravotní péče (nemocnice), regulátora (Ministerstvo zdravotnictví) a plátce (pojišťovna). Po úspěšném absolvování internship získáte 3 kredity v rámci Internship I a Internship II.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (18.06.2025)
Students will gain understanding of healthcare systems in different countries and learn to critically analyse their effectiveness and impact on health outcomes and inequalities. The course will address current challenges that healthcare systems face, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability. Key microeconomic concepts relevant to healthcare — such as market failures and stakeholders' incentives — will be explored. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions, develop their own research questions, and articulate informed policy positions.
For students enrolled in the Czech program (Ekonomie a finance): V případě zájmu o internship v sektoru zdravotnictví, kontaktujte Janu Votápkovou. Internship je možný u poskytovatele zdravotní péče (nemocnice), regulátora (Ministerstvo zdravotnictví) a plátce (pojišťovna). Po úspěšném absolvování internship získáte 3 kredity v rámci Internship I a Internship II.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (18.06.2025)
Literature -
Core readings:
1.Olsen, J.A. (2017) Principles in Health Economics and Health Policy.
2.McPake, B., Normand, C. Smith, S, Nolan, A. (2020), Health Economics: An international Perspective.
Readings recommended in classes.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (08.12.2025)
Core readings:
1.Olsen, J.A. (2017) Principles in Health Economics and Health Policy.
2.McPake, B., Normand, C. Smith, S, Nolan, A. (2020), Health Economics: An international Perspective.
Readings recommended in classes.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (08.12.2025)
Teaching methods -
When using AI tools during the Fundamentals of Health Economics study, please strictly adhere to the IES guide: AI tools when studying at IES.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (20.11.2025)
When using AI tools during the Fundamentals of Health Economics study, please strictly adhere to the IES guide: AI tools when studying at IES.
Last update: Vaňková Lenka, Mgr. (20.11.2025)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme -
·-- 1. analysis of healthcare spending and health outcomes – comparison of two countries (deadline March 18), 20 points
· -- 2. list of potential research questions, including the data sources, 10 points
Active participation in classes, 20 points
·-- 1. structured in-class discussion (groups and topics assigned by April 15), 15 points
·-- 2. activity in classes, 5 points
Midterm test, 10 points
Final test, 40 points
Grading:
A: 90.1-100
B: 80.1-90
C: 70.1-80
D: 60.1-70
E: 50.1-60
F: 0-50
Each of the core assessment criteria (final, midterm, structured class discussion, and country analysis assignment) must be passed individually, i.e. students must score at least 50% in the final exam, structured class discussion, and country analysis assignment, and at least 25% in the midterm exam.
·-- 1. analysis of healthcare spending and health outcomes – comparison of two countries (deadline March 18), 20 points
· -- 2. list of potential research questions, including the data sources, 10 points
Active participation in classes, 20 points
·-- 1. structured in-class discussion (groups and topics assigned by April 15), 15 points
·-- 2. activity in classes, 5 points
Midterm test, 10 points
Final test, 40 points
Grading:
A: 90.1-100
B: 80.1-90
C: 70.1-80
D: 60.1-70
E: 50.1-60
F: 0-50
Each of the core assessment criteria (final, midterm, structured class discussion, and country analysis assignment) must be passed individually, i.e. students must score at least 50% in the final exam, structured class discussion, and country analysis assignment, and at least 25% in the midterm exam.
February 18: Introduction to health economics and health systems
February 25: International comparisons of health systems and their performance in terms of health outcomes. Sustainability of healthcare financing with a focus on population ageing and the surge of chronic diseases
March 4: What makes healthcare market different? Externalities
March 11: Socioeconomic factors affecting inequalities in health outcomes
March 17: Guest lecture by Andrea Menclova: Drug warning. ONLINE, 9 PM
March 18: Demand for healthcare and health insurance, failures of healthcare markets. Moral hazard
March 25: Guest lecture by Mathias Kifmann: Social health insurance and competition: theory and evidence
April 1: Midterm. Supply of healthcare, incentives of providers under different reimbursement mechanisms
April 8: Regulation and policy in healthcare. Healthcare in the EU
April 15: Guest lecture by Sava Konstantinovic: Economic evaluation and value assessment in healthcare, specificities of pharmaceutical markets
April 22: no class
April 29: In-class structured discussion of policy-relevant topics
May 6: Health economics research. How to find a topic. Data in healthcare. Measurement techniques
May 13: Discussion of research questions in healthcare – student assignment. Exam revision
February 18: Introduction to health economics and health systems
February 25: International comparisons of health systems and their performance in terms of health outcomes. Sustainability of healthcare financing with a focus on population ageing and the surge of chronic diseases
March 4: What makes healthcare market different? Externalities
March 11: Socioeconomic factors affecting inequalities in health outcomes
March 17: Guest lecture by Andrea Menclova: Drug warning. ONLINE, 9 PM
March 18: Demand for healthcare and health insurance, failures of healthcare markets. Moral hazard
March 25: Guest lecture by Mathias Kifmann: Social health insurance and competition: theory and evidence
April 1: Midterm. Supply of healthcare, incentives of providers under different reimbursement mechanisms
April 8: Regulation and policy in healthcare. Healthcare in the EU
April 15: Guest lecture by Sava Konstantinovic: Economic evaluation and value assessment in healthcare, specificities of pharmaceutical markets
April 22: no class
April 29: In-class structured discussion of policy-relevant topics
May 6: Health economics research. How to find a topic. Data in healthcare. Measurement techniques
May 13: Discussion of research questions in healthcare – student assignment. Exam revision
