Health Inequality and Public Policy

Dozent/in	Ass.-Prof. David Weisstanner
Veranstaltungsart	Seminar
Code	HS261105
Semester	Herbstsemester 2026
Durchführender Fachbereich	Gesundheitswissenschaften
Studienstufe	Master
Termin/e	Do, 17.09.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 17.09.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 24.09.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 4.B55 Do, 24.09.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 4.B55 Do, 01.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 01.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 08.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 08.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 15.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 15.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 29.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 29.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 05.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 05.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 12.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 12.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 19.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 19.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 26.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 26.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 03.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 03.12.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 10.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 10.12.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 17.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, 3.B58 Do, 17.12.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, 3.B58
Umfang	4 Semesterwochenstunden
Inhalt	Why do some population groups experience systematically worse health than others? This course examines the causes, measurement, and consequences of health inequalities, with a particular focus on the role of public policy. The conceptual part introduces definitions, measurement strategies, and theoretical explanations of health inequality, including behavioural, material, and psychosocial mechanisms. It also considers how inequalities vary across socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, and geographic context. The applied part focuses on the analysis of cross-national survey data, particularly the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) and the European Social Survey (ESS). Students learn to describe, compare, and explain health inequalities across countries and over time. Throughout the semester, students develop their own empirical research project. The course provides guidance on research design, data analysis, and interpretation, alongside opportunities for feedback and discussion.
Schlagworte	Nachhaltigkeit; Gender/Diversity
E-Learning	All course materials are provided via Moodle.
Lernziele	Students will be able to: - describe key concepts and measures of health inequality - analyse health inequalities using cross-national survey data (e.g. ISSP, ESS) - compare patterns across countries and over time - evaluate how public policies and social contexts shape health inequalities - develop and implement an independent empirical research project - communicate findings in both academic and policy-oriented formats
Voraussetzungen	None. No prior methodological training is required; necessary tools are introduced during the course.
Sprache	Englisch
Anmeldung	Moodle: https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=1039
Leistungsnachweis	The final grade consists of three components: 1. Written paper (65%): empirical research paper (2500-3000 words; group option possible) based on ISSP or ESS data 2. Individual presentation (25%): presentation of preliminary findings of the empirical research paper 3. 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	- Bartley, M. & Kelly-Irving, M. (2025). Health Inequality. An Introduction to Concepts, Theories and Methods (3rd ed.). Polity Press. - Mackenbach, J. P. (2019). Health Inequalities: Persistence and Change in European Welfare States. Oxford University Press.