*Urban Studies 132 The US Health System * Mondays, 9:10 am to 12 pm Why is US health care so costly? Why is access to quality health care unevenly distributed? This course focuses on the structure and management of the US health care system and the policy issues that affect health care practitioners, payers, and patients. During the semester, we will explore how the US health care system is organized and financed and how that is done in other wealthy nations. We will examine key questions, such as: What role does government play in health care financing and provision? What approaches have been used to aid those who are uninsured, reduce health care costs, and encourage good quality care? How is the health care workforce changing? What has the impact of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) been on the US health system and consumers? What are the potential implications of current health care reform proposals? Course assignments include periodic response memos to readings and lectures, a midterm assignment, and a final paper (8-10 pages). The format of the course is lecture and class discussion. Throughout the semester, we will hear from guest speakers who work in the health care sector. For questions about this course, contact Professor Alice Sardell at alice.sardell@qc.cuny.edu *Urban Studies 231 Cities and Social Medicine* Friday 9:10 AM to 12 Noon Social medicineā is knowledge about how economic, social, environmental and political systems shape the health of individuals and communities. This knowledge, as well as an understanding of racial, economic, language and cultural barriers to health care helps to explain ethnic and class disparities in health status. The first part of this course will examine these relationships; we will discuss the specific cases of diet, food systems and health and the rising levels of opioid addiction in the US. In the second part of the course we will examine public policies that seek to reduce disparities in health status, including the role of community mobilization around these issues. We will focus on both health disparities and programs to reduce them within the New York City metropolitan area. Course requirements include exams and an 8-10 page paper. We will use the opportunity of a once a week three hour course to take field trips and hear speakers from community-based health programs and agencies. For questions about this course, contact Professor Alice Sardell at alice.sardell@qc.cuny.edu