What to Finance in Health and at What Price? from edX

Advancing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) - or in other words, achieving access to health services for the entire population without causing financial hardship - is in everyone's interest and one of the great Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, set out by the United Nations (UN) and signed by many countries.

However, to achieve this, countries face an enormous challenge: which services and health technologies should be financed for the population, and how can UHC be achieved with the available public resources? All this taking into account that in all nations, whether rich or poor, resources are insufficient to cover all the needs of the people.

For this reason, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through its Criteria Network , in alliance with the Center for Global Development (CGD) , are pleased to present you the course “ What to Finance in Health and at What Price? ”, which discusses the two key strategies to help countries move towards UHC and improve the efficiency of public health spending: explicit priority setting in health and instruments to achieve more affordable prices for medicines.

As we navigate the course, we will learn more about the challenges countries face and the strategies and tools available to support them by some of the best international experts in this area.

Resources are scarce and spending smartly is essential to achieve more health for the population per dollar invested. Are you going to miss out on this opportunity?

Who is this course intended for?

Decision-makers and public officials who work in the areas of health policies and financing of services.
Specialists in economics, medicine, and the right to health.
Academics (researchers, teachers, students).
Opinion leaders.
Citizens interested in learning about the decision processes and the available policies to improve the effectiveness, quality, and coverage of health services.

This course is "self-paced" so you can enroll at any time, even if the course has been open for a while. You can take it at the time that is most suitable for you inside the enrolment period of the course.

If you opt for the Audit track, you could complete the course free and have 10 weeks to take the course from the day you subscribed.

If you opt for the Verified track , you can access the course unlimitedly and complete the qualified evaluations until the closing date, after making a payment of $25 . If you pass, in addition to the verified certificate, you will obtain a digital badge *that allows you to change the way you share your academic and professional achievements, for example, on social media.

*Did you know there is financial aid to opt for the verified certificate?

EdX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the Verified Certificate fee. Subscribe to the course and apply for financial assistance.

See more information in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

What's inside

Learning objective

Identify the economic and social benefits associated with implementing explicit priority setting mechanisms in health and interventions that help obtain more affordable prices for medicines, recognizing their contribution to the goal of achieving universal health coverage (uhc).

Syllabus

Module 1

You will identify why it is important to efficiently manage the gap between the needs of the population, which are infinite, and limited resources, as well as the key factors that have been influencing the increase in health spending.

Module 2

You will learn to recognize why explicit priority setting is a fundamental tool to support countries on the pathway to UHC, as well as its advantages over implicit priority setting.

Module 3

You will take a close look at health benefits plans (HBP), an explicit priority setting tool that allows countries to ensure coverage of the most important services according to the epidemiological profile and preferences of the population.

Module 4

You will recognize the importance of making explicit priority setting decisions based on evidence, using consistent analytical methods. In addition, you will take an in-depth look at some fundamental tools for prioritizing health spending, such as health technology assessment (HTA), cost-effectiveness thresholds, and the costing of prioritized services.

Module 5

You will learn that although the methods are a fundamental ingredient of explicit priority setting, this is not sustainable if it is not accompanied by participatory, transparent, coherent, and consistent processes. These elements of good governance will contribute towards ensuring the legitimacy of the decisions and acceptance by the stakeholders.

Module 6

You will learn that the efficiency of health spending not only depends on what is financed, but also on what is paid for each of the health services and technologies, and that one of the great challenges on the pathway to UHC are precisely the prices that we pay for medicines. What tools can countries use to achieve more affordable prices for medicines? Here you will get an overview of the available strategies, accompanied by examples from countries around the world.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores efficiency in health spending to achieve universal health coverage

Teaches health priority setting and cost-effectiveness analysis, both highly relevant to health financing

Involves real-world examples and case studies of how countries are working towards UHC

Covers practical challenges and participatory processes in priority setting

Taught by experts in health economics, policy, and public health

Provides a multi-modal learning experience, including readings, videos, discussions, and interactive exercises

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What to Finance in Health and at What Price? with these activities:

Review health economics

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Understanding health economics will help you analyze the cost-effectiveness of different health interventions and make informed decisions about resource allocation.

Browse courses on Health Economics

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Review the basic concepts of health economics, such as demand and supply, elasticity, and efficiency.
Study the different types of health care markets, such as the market for health insurance and the market for prescription drugs.
Analyze the role of government in health care markets, such as through regulation and public health programs.

Review types of health services

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Prior knowledge of different types of health services will help you identify services that are essential and should be included in your priority setting efforts.

Browse courses on Health Services

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Study the different types of health services, such as preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care.
Consider the different levels of health services, such as primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
Research the different ways that health services can be delivered, such as through hospitals, clinics, or community health centers.

Healthcare cost-effectiveness analysis project

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Develop a comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate the value of a specific healthcare intervention or policy, considering both costs and health outcomes.

Browse courses on Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

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Define the healthcare intervention or policy to be evaluated
Identify and collect data on costs and health outcomes associated with the intervention or policy
Develop a conceptual framework and analytical model to estimate the costs and effects
Conduct the cost-effectiveness analysis and interpret the results
Write a report summarizing the findings and implications for healthcare decision making

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Learn about priority setting in health

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Explicit priority setting is a key tool for countries to move towards UHC and improve the efficiency of public health spending.

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Watch a video tutorial on the principles of priority setting in health.
Read an article or blog post about a country that has successfully implemented priority setting in health.
Attend a webinar or online course on priority setting in health.

Practice healthcare priority setting techniques

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Practice using the techniques and tools discussed in the course to prioritize healthcare interventions and services, ensuring efficient use of resources.

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Review the principles and methods of healthcare priority setting
Identify and gather relevant data on health needs, costs, and benefits
Apply decision-making frameworks and tools (e.g., cost-effectiveness analysis, equity considerations)
Develop a prioritized list of interventions and services based on your analysis
Evaluate and refine your prioritization方案 as new information becomes available

Career center

Learners who complete What to Finance in Health and at What Price? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Policy Analyst

Healthcare Policy Analysts play a vital role in developing and implementing policies that improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. This course on healthcare financing and priority setting will provide you with the knowledge and skills to analyze healthcare policies, evaluate their impact, and develop recommendations for improvement. The course will also help you to understand the different stakeholders involved in healthcare policymaking and how to build consensus among them. With this knowledge, you will be well-equipped to make a difference in the lives of people around the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Policy Analyst

Health Economist

Health Economists use economic principles to analyze and evaluate healthcare systems and policies. This course will provide you with the tools to analyze the costs and benefits of different healthcare interventions, and to make recommendations for how to allocate resources more efficiently. You will also learn about the different factors that influence healthcare spending, and how to develop policies that promote affordability and access to care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations and financial performance. This course will give you the skills to understand the financial challenges facing healthcare organizations, and to develop and implement strategies to address them. You will also learn about the different types of healthcare consulting services, and how to market your skills to potential clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage healthcare finances, human resources, and operations. You will also learn about the different types of healthcare organizations, and the challenges they face. With this knowledge, you will be well-prepared to lead a healthcare organization to success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Public Health Policy Analyst

Public Health Policy Analysts develop and implement policies that promote the health of the population. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to analyze public health data, evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs, and develop recommendations for policy change. You will also learn about the different stakeholders involved in public health policymaking, and how to build consensus among them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Policy Analyst

Health Insurance Analyst

Health Insurance Analysts evaluate the financial performance of health insurance companies, and make recommendations for how to improve their profitability. This course will provide you with the tools to analyze health insurance data, and to understand the different factors that influence health insurance costs. You will also learn about the different types of health insurance products, and how to develop and implement strategies to increase sales.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Insurance Analyst

Pharmaceutical Market Analyst

Pharmaceutical Market Analysts research and analyze the pharmaceutical market, and develop strategies for marketing and selling pharmaceutical products. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the pharmaceutical industry, and to develop and implement marketing campaigns that reach target audiences. You will also learn about the different types of pharmaceutical products, and the regulatory environment that governs the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Market Analyst

Healthcare Data Analyst

Healthcare Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret healthcare data to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. This course will provide you with the skills to use data analysis techniques to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in healthcare data. You will also learn about the different types of healthcare data, and how to use data visualization tools to present your findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Data Analyst

Healthcare Financial Manager

Healthcare Financial Managers are responsible for the financial planning and management of healthcare organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to prepare and analyze financial statements, develop budgets, and manage cash flow. You will also learn about the different types of healthcare financing, and how to develop and implement strategies to reduce costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Financial Manager

Healthcare Operations Manager

Healthcare Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage healthcare facilities, equipment, and staff. You will also learn about the different types of healthcare organizations, and the challenges they face. With this knowledge, you will be well-prepared to lead a healthcare organization to success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Operations Manager

Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to develop and deliver health education programs, and to evaluate their effectiveness. You will also learn about the different types of health education programs, and the different populations they serve.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Health Policy Assistant

Health Policy Assistants provide support to health policy makers, and assist in the development and implementation of health policies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the health policymaking process, and to conduct research and analysis to support policy development. You will also learn about the different types of health policies, and the different stakeholders involved in the policymaking process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Assistant

Health Program Manager

Health Program Managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement health programs, and to evaluate their effectiveness. You will also learn about the different types of health programs, and the different populations they serve.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Program Manager

Health Services Researcher

Health Services Researchers study the delivery and outcomes of health services, and develop strategies to improve them. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct health services research, and to use evidence to improve health policy and practice. You will also learn about the different types of health services research, and the different methods used to conduct research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Services Researcher

International Health Development Specialist

International Health Development Specialists work to improve the health of people in developing countries. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement health programs in developing countries, and to evaluate their effectiveness. You will also learn about the different challenges facing health systems in developing countries, and the strategies that can be used to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Health Development Specialist