Health Systems & Health Policy

A health system is the complex whole of public and private organizations, institutions and people (including the population), and the actions, resources and mechanisms involved in delivering services to meet the health needs of people. The main goal of a health system is to provide universal health coverage and ensure equal access to quality and effective services for all.  Its mandate is to improve, maintain or restore health - through health-improving activities and by addressing underlying determinants of health. Health systems are undeniably shaped by health policies, and the formulation and implementation of effective and equitable health policies is under the responsibility of public health professionals. A clear vision, explicit values and strong leadership are crucial to ensure effective and timely responses to current and emerging public health challenges.

Past and current global crises demonstrate(d) the need for responsive and equitable health systems. A well-functioning health system is built on the investment in trained, well-distributed and motivated health workers and leaders, a well-maintained infrastructure, and a reliable supply of health products and technologies. It is supported by adequate health financing mechanisms, solid health programmes, and evidence-based policies. It includes  an efficient and comprehensive health information system. An adequate dialogue between all actors involved, at micro-, meso- and macro-level, and an optimal balance between top-down and bottom-up decision making are of key importance.

Health managers and policymakers face many challenges and uncertainties. Many of their decisions have considerable social, economic and/or political consequences. Reforming the system can be difficult in a context with a high diversity of stakeholders and power imbalances. Understanding the complexity of health systems –  being able to analyse its functions, the dynamic interplay between its components, and the policies that drive the system - are at the core of the competencies of public health professionals.

The 6 weeks course on “Health Systems and Health Policy” opens the Master in Public Health. It introduces concepts, frameworks, methods and tools to describe and analyse local and national health systems and health policies and illustrates these with real-life case studies. The course focuses on the analysis of the performance of a local health system through various dimensions and does so by introducing several concepts and conceptual frameworks. These include access, coverage and utilization of health care services, rational and efficient use of resources and quality of care, organisation of health services and integrated systems, health financing, governance and stewardship, the interface with health programmes and community participation and engagement. Throughout the course, participants will assess the role of different actors involved in and shaping health systems. Principles and challenges in (global) governance, financing, the health workforce and medicines policy will be introduced.

The course is intended for both health and non-health professionals, and researchers having an interest in improving people’s health.

The participants are immersed in comparative analysis and will gain a better understanding of the global context of health and the differences in health systems across countries. Several of these themes and underlying principles will be then further taken up in the advanced course components.

The course draws on ITM’s comprehensive field and research expertise, in primary health care and local health systems, as well as in the development, implementation and evaluation of health systems and health policies in a wide range of low- , middle- and high-income countries. Participants will benefit from the rich exchange of experiences between professionals originating from different parts of the world. Partners and alumni from all over the world present country-based case studies. Where possible, we will draw upon participants’ experience for discussions of specific country cases.

Mode of study

This course (component) is organized face-to-face.

Note: online participation is possible in case of “force majeure” and should be communicated upfront to the course coordinator.