Applied Health Economics: Routledge Advanced Texts in Economics and Finance 19

Health economics is a branch of economics that examines the production, distribution, and consumption of health care services. It is a relatively new field, but it has grown rapidly in recent years due to the increasing cost of health care and the need to make more efficient use of resources.

Applied health economics is the application of economic principles to the real world of health care. It can be used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different health care interventions, to design health insurance plans, and to make decisions about how to allocate health care resources.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of applied health economics. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

Applied Health Economics (Routledge Advanced Texts in Economics and Finance Book 19)

by Andrew M. Jones

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15910 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	552 pages

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• The economics of health care
• Health insurance
• Pharmaceutical drugs
• Health policy

The book is written in a clear and concise style, and it is packed with real-world examples and case studies. It is ideal for students of health economics, public health, and health policy.

The economics of health care is a complex field, but it can be boiled down to a few basic principles.

• Health care is a necessity. People need health care to survive and thrive. This means that the demand for health care is relatively inelastic, meaning that people will not reduce their consumption of health care very much even if the price increases.
• Health care is a complex service. Health care is not a standardized product, and it can be difficult to determine what is the best care for a particular patient. This complexity makes it difficult to price health care and to compare the quality of different providers.
• Health care is a major industry. Health care is one of the largest industries in the United States, and it is a major source of employment. The health care industry is also a major consumer of resources, and it has a significant impact on the economy.

These three principles help to explain some of the challenges facing the health care industry. The inelastic demand for health care means that it is easy for providers to raise prices without losing customers. The complexity of health care makes it difficult for consumers to compare the quality of different providers. And the size of the health care industry makes it a major target for government regulation.

Health insurance is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or group. The insurance company agrees to pay for all or a portion of the individual's or group's health care costs in exchange for a monthly or annual premium.

Health insurance is an important tool for protecting people from the financial burden of illness and injury. It can also help to improve access to care and to promote preventive care.

There are many different types of health insurance plans available. Some plans are more comprehensive than others, and some plans have higher premiums than others. It is important to shop around and compare plans before choosing one.

Pharmaceutical drugs are a major part of the health care industry. They are used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions, and they can save lives. However, pharmaceutical drugs can also be expensive, and they can have side effects.

The pharmaceutical industry is a major target for government regulation. The government regulates the development, testing, and marketing of pharmaceutical drugs to ensure that they are safe and effective.

Health policy is the set of laws and regulations that govern the health care system. Health policy is designed to improve access to care, promote preventive care, and control the cost of health care.

Health policy is a complex and controversial topic. There are many different opinions about what the best health policy is. However, there are a few basic principles that most people agree on.

• Health care should be accessible to everyone. No one should be denied health care because they cannot afford it.
• Health care should be affordable. The cost of health care should not be so high that it is a burden on families and businesses.
• Health care should be evidence-based. Health care decisions should be based on the best available evidence about what works.

Health policy is a work in progress. The health care system is constantly changing, and health policy must adapt to these changes. However, the basic principles of health policy remain the same: access, affordability, and evidence-based care.

Applied health economics is a powerful tool for improving the health care system. It can be used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different health care interventions, to design health insurance plans, and to make decisions about how to allocate health care resources.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of applied health economics. It is an essential resource for students of health economics, public health, and health policy.

Applied Health Economics (Routledge Advanced Texts in Economics and Finance Book 19)

by Andrew M. Jones

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15910 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	552 pages

FREE