HP426 Half Unit
Applied Health Econometrics
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Joan Costa-Font and Dr Laia Maynou-Pujolras
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is available on the MSc in International Health Policy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Health Economics (HP420).
Alternatively, students should have completed another foundation course in microeconomics. If this was completed outside of the LSE at an undergraduate level, please contact Dr. Costa-Font for further advice.
Course content
Most research questions, in health economics require students to apply econometric techniques. This course will introduce these techniques and students exiting the course can expect to have acquired a competency in econometrics as it is applied to health economics. The seminars- which are lab based- will allow students to apply these methods to practical problems using Stata and interpret the results.
This content of this course may be useful to those considering the half unit HP423 Advanced Health Economics.
Teaching
This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops totalling a minimum 25 hours during Lent Term. Students will have access to lecture material delivered either in person or as short online videos. Students will also take part in computer workshops to complete problem datasets and practice key skills from the course.
There will be a departmental reading week in week 6 of term.
Formative coursework
One formative assessment will require the analysis of some data in STATA and the description of the results.
Indicative reading
- Joshua David Angrist, Jorn-Steffen Pischke (2015) Mastering 'Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. (most relevant to the course)
- Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, (2009) Introductory econometrics: a modern approach, 4th edition.
- Gertler, P. J., Martinez, S., Premand, P., Rawlings, L. B., & Vermeersch, C. M. (2016). Impact evaluation in practice. The World Bank.
- Almond, D. (2006). Is the 1918 influenza pandemic over? Long-term effects of in utero influenza exposure in the post-1940 US population. Journal of political Economy, 114(4), 672-712.
- Almond et al. (2010) “Estimating marginal returns to medical care: Evidence from at-risk newborns” The quarterly journal of economics 125.2 (2010): 591-634.
- Camacho, A. (2008). Stress and birth weight: evidence from terrorist attacks. American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings, 98(2), 511-15.
- Card, David, Carlos Dobkin, and Nicole Maestas. "The impact of nearly universal insurance coverage on health care utilization: evidence from Medicare." American Economic Review 98.5 (2008): 2242-58.
- Carpenter, Christopher, and Carlos Dobkin. "The effect of alcohol consumption on mortality: regression discontinuity evidence from the minimum drinking age." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 1.1 (2009): 164-82.
- Carpenter, C., & Dobkin, C. (2011). The minimum legal drinking age and public health. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 25(2), 133-56.
- Currie, J., Ray, S. H., & Neidell, M. (2011). Quasi-experimental studies suggest that lowering air pollution levels benefits infants’ and children’s health. Health Affairs, 30(12), 2391-2399.
- Duflo, E. (2001). Schooling and labor market consequences of school construction in Indonesia: Evidence from an unusual policy experiment. American economic review, 91(4), 795-813.
- Finkelstein, A., Taubman, S., Wright, B., Bernstein, M., Gruber, J., Newhouse, J. P., ... & Oregon Health Study Group. (2012). The Oregon health insurance experiment: evidence from the first year. The Quarterly journal of economics, 127(3), 1057-1106.
- Galiani, S., Gertler, P., & Schargrodsky, E. (2005). Water for life: The impact of the privatization of water services on child mortality. Journal of political economy, 113(1), 83-120.
- Powell-Jackson, T., Mazumdar, S., & Mills, A. (2015). Financial incentives in health: New evidence from India’s Janani Suraksha Yojana. Journal of health economics, 43, 154-169.
Assessment
Project (100%, 3500 words) in the ST.
100% One Research project (data analysis with STATA and write-up of 3,500 words) submitted in ST
Student performance results
(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 29.5 |
| Merit | 41 |
| Pass | 23.8 |
| Fail | 5.7 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Health Policy
Total students 2019/20: 38
Average class size 2019/20: 19
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
