Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Microeconomic tools for health economics -- Statistical tools for he alth economics -- Economic efficiency and cost-benefit analysis -- Prod uction of health -- The production, cost, and technology of health care -- Demand for health capital -- Demand and supply of health insurance -- Consumer choice and demand -- Asymmetric information and agency -- T he organization of health insurance markets -- Managed care -- Nonprofi t firms -- Hospitals and long-term care -- The physician's practice -- Health care labor markets and professional training -- The pharmaceutic al industry -- Equity, efficiency, and need -- Government intervention in health care markets -- Government regulation : principal regulatory mechanisms -- Social insurance -- Comparative health care systems -- He alth system reform -- The health economics of bads -- Epidemiology and economics : HIV/AIDS in Africa.