| Unit name | Health Policy in an International Context |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL31020 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Emeritus Professor. Payne |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit begins by exploring various measures of health in an international context and considering the limitations of such measures. We briefly explore global patterns in life expectancy, mortality and morbidity, and key factors involved in the distribution of health. The focus is on differences between and within countries using various demographic and socio-economic measures. The main part of the unit examines the relationship between health and illness and health policy. We explore diversity in health systems, the ways in which health policy is shaped by social, economic and political influences, the impact of globalisation on health and the ways in which global restructuring has affected health policy. We look at the role of international organisations in global health governance and the impact of trans-national companies on health. The unit will conclude with an examination of the policy options for reducing inequalities in global health.
