Public Health and Policy

How do societies decide who gets healthcare, what treatments are available, and at what cost? In this immersive course, students will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare through the lenses of policy, ethics, and innovation. We’ll examine pressing issues such as health equity, the impact of new technologies like AI and genetic engineering, and the balance between personal rights and public good. Students will engage in case studies, debates, and simulations that place them in the role of policymakers, physicians, and patient advocates. Beyond the classroom, this course includes field trips to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and local community health organizations, where students will see policy in action and learn from professionals on the frontlines of care. Guest speakers—including public health leaders, medical ethicists, and innovators in healthcare technology—will bring real-world perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that define the future of medicine. By the end of the course, students will not only understand the forces shaping healthcare today but also envision their own role in creating a healthier and more just tomorrow.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain key concepts in healthcare policy, ethics, and innovation, and how they shape medical decision-making.
2. Analyze the ethical dilemmas posed by new medical technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and digital health tools.
3. Evaluate the role of equity, cost, and access in determining how healthcare is delivered across different populations.
4. Debate issues of personal rights versus public good in healthcare, drawing on real-world case studies and ethical frameworks.
5. Engage with professionals in medicine, public health, and technology to connect theory with practice.
6. Reflect on their own perspectives and values regarding healthcare systems, and envision their potential role in shaping future innovations.
7. Synthesize insights from course discussions, field visits, and guest lectures into a final project that proposes a solution or framework for a pressing healthcare challenge.

Tangible Outcomes

Capstone Project: Students will present a policy proposal, ethical framework, or innovation plan that addresses a future healthcare challenge, integrating course learning and field experiences.

Hands-On Activities

To achieve these outcomes, students will:

• Case Study Analysis: Examine real-world healthcare dilemmas (e.g., organ allocation, vaccine mandates, AI in diagnostics) and propose solutions.
• Simulations & Role-Play: Take on the perspectives of policymakers, physicians, patients, and advocates in debates over resource allocation, access, and ethics.
• Field Trips: Visit Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and local community health organizations to observe how healthcare policy and ethics play out in practice.
• Guest Speaker Sessions: Engage with leaders in public health, medical ethics, and healthcare technology to gain insider perspectives on the field.
• Policy Debate Workshops: Participate in structured debates on issues such as universal healthcare, genetic editing, and healthcare costs.
• Innovation Lab: Brainstorm and design conceptual healthcare solutions that address challenges of access, equity, or technology integration.
• Reflective Writing: Keep a journal tracking evolving views on the ethics of healthcare, personal rights, and social responsibility.

Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.