Health Systems and Policy: Theory and Practice
About This Course
Health Systems and Policy seeks to understand and improve how societies globally organize themselves in achieving collective health goals, and how different actors interact in the policy and implementation processes to contribute to policy outcomes. This course will introduce what health systems and policy are—their key components, concepts, and functions; how to apply theories, frameworks, and analytical approaches to examine and strengthen health systems and inform policy decisions; and why they are essential to advancing public health goals such as equity, efficiency, and resilience. Drawing on case studies and comparative examples, particularly from Asia, the course bridges theory and practice to equip students with the skills to analyze complex systems and support evidence-informed policy development.
What You'll Learn
1. Describe key concepts, theories, frameworks, approaches, and methodologies used in health systems and policy analysis.
2. Apply these approaches to examine health systems and policy and develop strategies for health systems strengthening.
3. Analyze and compare health systems and policy challenges across countries, particularly in Asia, and draw lessons from global experiences.
4. Demonstrate research competence and ability to interpret various types of data, including the translation of knowledge into policy development.
5. Develop a case study of a health policy and system issue in a selected country.
6. Explain the relevance of health systems and policy to public health science and practice.
7. Understand current issues and debates in health systems and policy in Asia and globally.
Entry Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree
• Relevant public health related work experience
• Prior knowledge of biostatistics and epidemiology is required
• Candidates with other qualifications and experience may be considered on a case by case basis, subject to approval