Health Inequality and Public Policy

Dozent/in	Ass.-Prof. David Weisstanner
Veranstaltungsart	Vorlesung/Seminar
Code	HS251104
Semester	Herbstsemester 2025
Durchführender Fachbereich	Gesundheitswissenschaften
Studienstufe	Master
Termin/e	Mo, 15.09.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 15.09.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 22.09.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 22.09.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 29.09.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 29.09.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 06.10.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 06.10.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 13.10.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 13.10.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 20.10.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 20.10.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 27.10.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 27.10.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 03.11.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 03.11.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 10.11.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 10.11.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 17.11.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 17.11.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 24.11.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 24.11.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 01.12.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 01.12.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 15.12.2025, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.A05 Mo, 15.12.2025, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Umfang	4 Semesterwochenstunden
Inhalt	Why are there systematic health differences between different population groups? Health inequality is a persistent, global issue and may even have increased over time in some places. This course asks whether public policies can shape and reduce health inequalities. Policies related to education, health care, employment, social protection, or housing can have a significant impact on the social determinants of health, which in turn can shape health outcomes. The theoretical part of course first discusses definitions and various explanations of health inequality. Next, we discuss the necessary conditions and pathways for policy interventions to affect health inequalities. Finally, we explore specific dimensions of health inequality (between socio-economic groups, by gender, race, geographic area, etc.). In the applied part of the course, we look at various data sources to measure health inequality and public policies. Over the semester, each student will develop an own empirical research project (quantitative or qualitative) to assess the impact of a policy on health inequality. We discuss analytical strategies to implement students’ research project ideas and provide several opportunities for feedback on their projects.
E-Learning	Teaching material is provided via the e-learning platform moodle.
Lernziele	Students will be able to: - describe the concepts and measurement of health inequality - analyze the impact of various public policies on health inequality, and the possible pathways by which they affect health outcomes - evaluate the effectiveness of different policy approaches to reduce health inequality and promote more equitable health outcomes - apply the theoretical knowledge by developing an own empirical research project and writing a policy brief
Sprache	Englisch
Anmeldung	https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=929
Prüfung	Overall grade of 4.0 or better. The final grade consists of three parts: - A written paper (70%) consisting of two parts: - Part I (35%): A short empirical research paper (max. 2500 words) with a quantitative or qualitative analysis on the impact of a policy on health inequality – preliminary draft due on 21th / 28th November 2025 - Part II (35%): A policy brief (max. 2 A4 pages) with a concise summary of the findings of the empirical research paper, policy considerations, and possible policy recommendations - The final paper is due on 31st January 2026, 23:59 CET. - Individual presentation (20%) of the (preliminary) findings of the empirical research paper – on 24th November and 1th December 2025 - Active participation (10%) IMPORTANT: In order to earn credits and participate at the exam registration via Uni Portal within the exam registration period is MANDATORY. Further information: www.unilu.ch/en/study/courses-exams-regulations/health-sciences-and-medicine/exams/
Abschlussform / Credits	Paper, presentation, participation / 6 Credits
Hinweise	Teaching methods: Typical weeks consist of a theoretical part based on interactive lectures and discussions in the morning (10:15-11:50), followed by an applied part focusing on implementing the own research project after the lunch break (12:30-14:00). Several guest lecturers will be invited to share insights from their research or practical work. Individual presentations of the preliminary findings from the empirical research projects take place on 24th November and 1th December 2025.
Hörer-/innen	Nein
Kontakt	david.weisstanner@unilu.ch
Material	Teaching material is based on slides, scientific articles, book chapters, data resources, exercises, and individual presentations.
Literatur	The course builds on the following two textbooks: - Bartley, Mel. 2017. Health Inequality. An Introduction to Concepts, Theories and Methods. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press. - Mackenbach, Johan P. 2019. Health Inequalities. Persistence and Change in European Welfare States. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Selected chapters and other readings will be available on the e-learning platform Moodle.