全球衛生治理

Upon the completion of this course, students are expected to achieve the following competencies: 1. Analyze the dynamics of a health system and the relationship among its sub-systems and global actors. 2. Identify, mobilize and manage resources within a health system. 3. Develop appropriate framework establishing and assessing health system governance from local to global levels.

The goal of this course is to introduce an analytical framework for health system strengthening and governance in international health. This course will help students to examine the health system from a holistic and critical perspective and understand the interconnectedness of every sub-system with each other and with the overall health system, as well as other sectors. Further, this course prepares students to acquire knowledge and analytical skills in principles and frameworks of health system governance, from local, national, to global levels. The underlying ethical principles of health system governance are community ownership and equity, while efficiency is the means to achieve these goals in population health and well-being.

Health system strengthening has become one of the most important global health initiatives in the last decade, while governance is one of the most critical components of a health system. This course first introduces the conceptual framework of health systems, and the rationale underlying health system strengthening. This is followed by introducing alternative social institutions that support a nation’s health system, various philosophical approaches to organize a health system, and mechanisms to finance it. After discussing health system strengthening, this course will dive into principles and frameworks of governance, and the infrastructure that is essential for its implementations. Community ownership and equity will be the underlying principles guiding our discussion on how societies develop their governance system and culture. This is expanded to the global health governance and its challenges. Besides discussing the social institutional foundation of a health system, this course also introduces an analytical framework for studying, planning, and evaluating health systems and governance. This includes mobilization of resources, especially financial and human resources, and priority setting for a health system. Finally, in the context of international health, this course will critically assess and examine the role of international actors in this global initiative of health system strengthening. More specifically, we will look into the role of supranational governments (such as WHO, World Bank, UNDP,...etc.), official development agencies (ODAs, such as USAID, JICA, SIDA,...etc.), non-government organizations (NGOs, such as MSF, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CARE International,...etc.), and non-state actors (such as Global Fund and GAVI) in health system strengthening. Further, this course will prepare students to identify various institutions’ interests and capabilities in shaping the agenda, funding, and policies of health system strengthening and governance, both at the national and global levels. The last 3 sessions of this course will be joining with National Chengchi University’s Global Health Governance course, in which Professor Chi is also co-teaching.

1. In-class discussions 15% 2. Term project paper 50% 3. Global health governance simulation 35% NOTE: Date(s) attached with each topic are suggested date(s). The actual date(s) may vary slightly depending on the class discussions.