This module covers the main normative issues surrounding the delivery of health care in modern societies. It discusses the purpose of health care, the notions of health and disease, just allocation of medical resources, issues of inequity in health dispositions, and problems of prioritising and rationing in health care. It acquaints students with the main theories of health care justice and also covers problems in public health and global health inequalities.
After successfully taking the module, students will able be to explain the main moral and economic problems in the provision and allocation of health care resources. They will have sufficient knowledge of underlying philosophical debates and theories in these areas to engage critically with recent public debates about the just and economically viable provision for health care needs.
The module will be delivered by 8 x 2-hour seminar groups and two 2-hour workshops.
Modes of summative assessments are i) a group presentation (weighted at 15% of the module mark); ii) a brief argument (up to 500 words) in relation to the group presentation, in the style of a "Letter to the Editor" (15%); iii) a 2000-words essay (70%).