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All elements for this course will be on the Ithaca College SAKAI system. Students can access the syllabus, assignments, and grades at the site. All assignments will be provided via the SAKAI site.

Never before have health issues been given the scrutiny as they have in the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen both the courage of health workers as well as huge fissures in the public health and preparedness sectors. The notion of a US “health system” itself is being questioned. Critical Health Issues addresses many of these issues as we examine the evolution of U.S. health policy and the delivery of health services. This vast enterprise includes all sectors of government and industry as well as our private lives. In a country where health services account for about 1 out of every 10 workers and about 17 cents out of every dollar spent, there are still tens of millions of people without access to these services, though things have improved with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Health is also more than access to quality health care at an affordable cost. Our air, water, food supply, and more must be safe to consume for everyone. If it is not, whose responsibility is it to make it so?

The pandemic highlights the tension between federal, state, and local authorities. Using evidence and contrasting alternatives, this course employs a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the most recent issues in U.S. healthcare services and public health.

Please contact Dr. Karen Edwards (kedwards@ithaca.edu) with any questions.

Topic: News for Students