Contemporary Health Economics Essay Assessment task

Writing an essay on a contemporary health economics relevant topic

Please write an essay (of about 1500 words) on either one of the following topics. Your assessment will be based on

• How well you evaluate and develop the topic? How well you structure your essay with an introduction, the body part and the conclusion? [8  points]
• How well you demonstrate an understanding of one of these issues from an economic perspective? [8 points]
• How well you apply knowledge of the demand, supply and market for health care services from an economic perspective? [8 points]
• How well you develop a coherent and sustained argument on the usefulness of economic analysis in discussing the issue? [8 points]
• Please make sure you are correctly referencing any external resources you are using in writing your essay with a proper referencing style. [8 points]

Essay Questions:

• Pauly (1988) surmised that about three quarters of medical markets do not fit well with the conventional economic model.. Why do you think this is the case? Discuss this question in the context of the following concepts in the health care market:

• economic rationale of rationality
• efficient allocation of resources
• extensive government intervention
• intractable uncertainty in several dimensions
• asymmetric information 
• barriers to entry
• externalities and
• the presence of a third-party agent

• Please discuss the “Economics of informal care in Australia” using the concepts of – choice, scarcity, opportunity cost, demand and supply of informal care. Discuss this question in the context of the following concepts in the formal/informal care market: 
• Provide a definition for Informal carer in the beginning and how they are different from formal carers?
• Discuss the demand for and supply of informal carers in Australia.
• Do you think a mismatch between the demand and supply of informal care presents significant challenges for the management of Australia’s health and welfare?
• Please discuss, ”if left unmet, growing demand for care is likely to result in a strain on the formal health sector and poorer health outcomes for those who are unable to afford formal care or services”.
• Do you think the growing complexity and duration of care required may also place greater pressure on informal carers?

It is recommended to use Vancouver Referencing Style