School of Public Health

Welcome

In 2009, the United States will spend $2.5 Trillion on health care, over 16% of Gross Domestic Product. The health care system employs over 14,000,000 people nationally and it is the largest employer in New York City. It is expected that we will reach the $4 Trillion dollar mark and 20% of GDP by 2016. Yet for all the money that is spent on health care in the United States and in New York in particular, we get less than optimal return. Not only are almost 50 million people without health insurance, an even larger number find they cannot afford to use the insurance they have for what ails them. The quality of care that is provided is also questionable as the United States ranks 28th in infant mortality internationally and there are great disparities between racial and ethnic groups in health care outcomes, longevity, and a variety of other health indicators.

The goal of the Department of Health Policy and Management is to train future policy makers and managers to understand the dynamics of the health care system so that it can be improved. We also strive to upgrade the skills and understanding of current policy makers and managers so that they can operate more effectively and with the most current knowledge and practices.

We have several research initiatives underway and many more in the planning stages. We are actively involved in the New York State HEAL 9 grant on improving local health planning, a project that brings together consumer groups, payers, and providers to work together to improve health care in Central and North Brooklyn. Our students will be actively engaged in this process as well. We have applied to the NIH to look at how the U.S. and the UK make policy around health disparities and the reasons why approaches may be different in the two countries. Our faculty are researching differences in health care utilization in World Cities, examining the implications of health care services moving out of hospitals and into ambulatory care centers, and the impact of regulatory regimes on health care delivery, among other issues.

Our faculty are actively engaged in the health care system through work at institutions, community organizations, and public activities. This includes a wide range of public speaking, public service work, and volunteer activities. All of these enhance our ability to provide the highest quality education and research.

Sincerely,

Howard Berliner, ScD
Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management
School of Public Health