The Economics of Health Reconsidered: Challenging Market Forces in Healthcare

Authored by Lynn Unruh, the fifth edition of this thought-provoking book critiques the reliance on market forces in addressing health policy issues, instead emphasizing the value of government intervention. By critically examining economic theory in the healthcare sector, the authors encourage readers to question the assumptions underlying the perceived success of the competitive healthcare market model.

In this updated edition, the authors delve into the unique characteristics of healthcare that challenge the effectiveness of traditional economic remedies. The book explores crucial topics such as:

Demand and Supply in Healthcare: Understanding the Complexities

Discover how the interplay between demand and supply affects healthcare outcomes and why traditional economic solutions often fall short.

Promoting Equity in Healthcare: The Role of Government Intervention

Learn how government involvement can reduce health inequities and create a more equitable healthcare system.

Health Expenditures and Economic Evaluations: Making Informed Decisions

Gain insights into the complexities of healthcare expenditures and how economic evaluations can inform policy decisions.

New to this edition are chapters on:

Social Determinants of Health: The Impact on Demand

Explore how factors such as education, income, gender, sexual- and gender-minority identities, early childhood experiences, neighborhood effects, and race/ethnicity influence demand for healthcare.

Behavioral Economics: Challenging Traditional Assumptions

Understand how behavioral economics can provide a more nuanced view of healthcare decision-making, moving beyond traditional economic frameworks.

The authors illustrate how government intervention can not only create a more equitable healthcare system but also a more efficient one. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of healthcare economics and the role of government in shaping the future of healthcare.

Book Details:

Published by Health Administration Press (January 24, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN: 9781640553477, 9781640553446