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PHM554 - Public Health Economics and Decision Making

2027

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Public Health Research

Credit Points

Unit Level

500

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

The aim of this unit is to increase students' knowledge of health economics and the role that it plays in the planning and delivery of health services and public health. The main focus is on reviewing the evidence and applying the tools of economics to health care. Students will have the opportunity to synthesise and consolidate their learning from previous units by conducting a literature review and applying the evidence to an economic proposal.
Students will explore: the role of economics in supporting decision-making in the healthcare sector; how economic tools can assist to clarify the key issues that arise due to scarcity of resources; and how they can determine and respond to public health problems and priorities. Students will increase their knowledge and skills in relation to key economic concepts such as economic cost, efficiency and equity, as well as decision-support and planning tools used by health economists.
Note: it is recommended that students enrol in this unit in their final semester of study or after completing 80 credit points.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Explain the relevance and value of economics as a body of knowledge and a discipline to assist decision-makers address key public health issues.
2.	Relate and apply the concepts of efficiency, effectiveness and equity to the provision of public health and the trade-offs that arise when confronted by scarce resources.
3.	Analyse the role of priority-setting techniques in informing decisions related to closing the service gap.
4.	Identify and formulate responses to the critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure financial sustainability.
5.	Review, critically assess and synthesise relevant evidence from the health economics literature.
6.	Develop an evidence-based economic proposal to inform decision-making with regard to a key public health issues.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Online discussions (800-1000 words in total) (Hurdle)	20%	1,2,4
2.	Literature review for the proposal (assessment 3) (2500 words)	40%	1,3,5
3.	Proposal (2500 words) (Hurdle)	40%	1,3,5,6

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2027	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2026 Incidental Fees (PDF)