Health and Healthcare Systems in East Asia

This course will discuss population health and healthcare systems in contemporary China, Japan, and Korea (north and south), in comparative perspective with other health systems. Using primarily the lens of social science, especially health economics, we will analyze recent developments in East Asian health policy, in comparison to other health systems of the world. Topics include the social determinants of health, demographic transition and population aging, control of infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases, healthcare financing, health insurance, health service delivery, payment incentives, competition, pharmaceutical policy, long-term care, and regulation. Although some background in Asian Studies, economics, and/or global health will be useful, no prior knowledge of economics or health policy is expected or required.