Information about the modules
Module (6 Credits)
Health and Development
- Responsible
- Prof. Dr. Martin Karlsson
- Admission criteria
- See exam regulations.
- Workload
- 180 hours of student workload, in detail:
- Attendance: 60 hours
- Preparation, follow up: 60 hours
- Exam preparation: 60 hours
- Duration
- The module takes 1 semester(s).
- Qualification Targets
Students will be able to:
- understand key economic mechanisms linking health and development in low-, middle-, and high-income contexts,
- critically assess empirical research and policy debates related to health systems and health outcomes in developing and emerging economies,
- engage with applied research designs and empirical strategies commonly used in Development Economics and Health Economics,
- formulate evidence-based evaluations of health policies and interventions.
- Relevance
Socio-economic disparities in health and access to medical services represent central challenges for policy-making, public administration, and international development cooperation. The ability to interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence is essential for leadership roles in public health institutions, international organizations, NGOs, and academia.
- Module Exam
The module is assessed by a composite examination consisting of:
- Three short written assignments (in total approx. 10 pages, 50% of the final grade)
- A written exam (usually 60-90 Minute, 50% of the final grade)
- Usage in different degree programs
- Elements
Lecture with integrated exercise (6 Credits)
Health and Development
- Name in diploma supplement
- Health and Development
- Organisational Unit
- Lehrstuhl für VWL, insb. Gesundheitsökonomik
- Lecturer
- Lehrbeauftragte, Gastdozent:innen
- Cycle
- summer semester
- SPW
- 4
- Language
- English
- Participants
Preliminary knowledge
Basic knowledge of microeconomics and applied empirical methods (e.g., econometrics). Familiarity with topics in health or development economics is helpful but not required.
Abstract
This course examines key issues at the intersection of Health Economics and Development Economics. It focuses on the organization, challenges, and performance of health systems, health behaviour, and policy interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A substantial part of the course is taught by guest lecturers who contribute current research perspectives and case-based insights.
Contents
Specific topics vary depending on the invited lecturers, but typically include themes such as:
- structures and challenges of health systems in developing and emerging economies,
- household decision-making, risk, and health shocks,
- providers, informality, and market structures in the health sector,
- public policies such as health insurance, transfer programmes, and preventive interventions,
- evidence-based evaluation of health reforms and development programmes.
Literature
Assigned readings and study materials will be announced at the beginning of the course. Selections are based on current international research in health and development economics.
Teaching concept
Lectures introduce conceptual frameworks, empirical approaches, and theoretical foundations. The integrated tutorial complements the lecture by fostering applied engagement with the literature, empirical strategies, and policy debates. Students critically discuss research papers, replicate empirical analyses, and work through problem sets or data-based examples.
Die Veranstaltung entspricht einem Vorlesungsanteil von 2 SWS und einem Übungsanteil von 2 SWS.