Students Drawn To Health Care Policy Challenges

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 12 Dec 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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Reuters/Boston Globe on Sunday examined how "hordes of idealistic young people" are "pouring into health policy classes in economics, political science, history and public health departments" in colleges and universities. The popularity of public health schools, health economics, health law and health business programs is rising, while political science and history departments are offering numerous courses focusing on health care and medical issues.

According to Reuters/Globe, "Students are drawn by the political debate over how to cover 47 million uninsured Americans, the challenge of containing runaway costs and the growing awareness that quality of care is often tragically uneven." Harvard University economist David Cutler said, "There are fascinating economic issues, fascinating politics, fascinating cultural and social issues."

Other observers note that young people learn of "quality gaps" through family members' experiences within the U.S. health care system, Reuters/Globe reports. Students also see health care -- which accounts for one-sixth of the U.S. economy -- as a business opportunity. "Pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, physician group practices -- they all need people to run their businesses," Dennis Shea, who teaches health policy at Pennsylvania State University, said, adding, "There are a lot of jobs out there" (Kenen, Reuters/Boston Globe, 12/9).

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