The course will provide a comparative analysis of models and practices across six countries that have universal health systems with some reference to selected other countries where innovative models exist. The first half of the course will focus on the foundations of health systems (Organization, Governance and Financing; Economics, Public/Private Models and System Performance; Human Resource Management and Demand/Utilization Management) to provide a grounding to understand the differentiating features of the six health systems. The second half will explore three themes of contemporary interest to the Canadian health system. These thematic areas will be primary health care, pharmaceutical policy and public health strategies.