Nov 14, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

ECON 2600 - Economics of Health Disparities


The course explores health disparities from an economic point of view. The term health disparities in health economics refers to differences in health across two groups of people. The course applies economic theory to analyzing public policy issues regarding differences in health outcomes. We explore why health disparities occur and how economic policy could be used (or could not be used) to correct for these disparities. Topics include social and economic determinants of health and discrimination in health care.

Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS: Arch: Connected World
Thematic Arches:
  • Health & Wellness

General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2SS
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 seminar
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMSBS Social & Behavioral Sciences
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to explain findings of the field of economics and related social sciences on health disparities.
  • Students will be able to explain the difference between two variables being correlated and one variable causing the other.
  • Students will be able to explain some of the health disparities that currently exist in the United States.
  • Students will be able to discuss the potential causal relationships that lead to these health disparities.
  • Students will be able to apply the logic used in economic decision making to decisions that might result in the existence of a health disparity.
  • Students will be able to describe the potential benefits and costs of economic policies aimed at reducing health disparities, thereby making them more informed citizens.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the trade-offs involved with economic policy interventions and not using policy to attempt to correct health disparities.
  • Students will be able to describe places where the findings in economics on health disparities are lacking due to a shortage of economists who experience those disparities.
  • Students will be able to analyze whether potential economic policy solutions could correct the causal pathway that led to the disparity that the policy is addressing.
  • Students will be able to use evidence to develop an evaluation of potential economic policy solutions for health disparities.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the appropriateness of common economic assumptions when used in models that describe health disparities.
  • Students will be able to propose an economic solution to a health disparity while recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of the solution.
  • Students will be able to defend not enacting any economic policies to address health disparities, while recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of not doing anything.


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