ECON 256Introduction to Health Economics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Economics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Why are some people healthy and others not? Why is health different from other goods and services? How do the many stakeholders interact in health care markets? Why do countries have different health care systems? This course introduces students to how the theories and tools of economics can be used when examining health, health care, and health care policies. Concepts such as supply and demand, uncertainty, and utility will be introduced in the context of health and health care markets. While international institutions may be discussed, the course will emphasize Canadian health care markets.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it100% easy38% useful
From 2 ratings and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course was taught by Mikko Packalen. In my opinion he is one of the best and most realistic professors. He seems to genuinely want his students to do well and encorporates the use of AI into the course to help us succeeed. The course content sometimes seemed useless but the prof made up for it by giving us many opportunities to get good grades.
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention ECON 256, November 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
Econ 256 - health Econ 6 points, 0 comments
u/bluey454893: “Thinking of taking this in the fall! For those who took this course, how’s the content? How are the tests/assignments/exam?”
Econ 256 1 point, 0 comments
u/steven_0: “There don’t seem to be any ratings for this course on UWflow. For anyone who’s taken it, how was it? Easy to get a good mark?”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 221 ECON 223W ECON 231 ECON 233W ECON 238W ECON 239W ECON 249W ECON 250W ECON 254 ECON 255 ECON 256 ECON 260W ECON 290 ECON 301 ECON 302 ECON 305W ECON 306 ECON 322 ECON 323 ECON 341 ECON 344 ECON 351 ECON 361 ECON 371 ECON 391 ECON 393 ECON 401 ECON 407 ECON 421 ECON 451 ECON …”
Fall 2016
I want to study Economics. Is it mostly projects, tests, or assignments? 0 points, 4 comments
u/twofactorial: “… ECON 290 - problem sets (graded for completion) which are excellent preparation for tests ECON 256 - two lengthy essays (8-10 pgs) and three tests, no final ECON 211 - BIRD IS THE WORD (I was in math so this was easy for me); tests and assignments that basically cover the …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them