about hcp

The Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School is one of only a few academic departments of health policy nationwide located in a medical school. As such, HCP has the rare ability not only to foster the careers of physicians and social scientists (including economists, sociologists, and statisticians) but also to develop close research ties with multiple clinicians at the Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. Since our founding in 1988, we have moved steadily to develop rich research and teaching programs.

Our wide-ranging research includes broad topics on financing and delivery of health care, quality of care, studies on special and disadvantaged populations (including those with mental disorders), and access to care. We have recently begun large-scale efforts related to benefit design and the care of the elderly. In many cases, these applied studies are augmented by fundamental contributions in statistics and biostatistics. Further information is available under the biographies of our award-winning faculty and in the publications section.

Our teaching program covers a broad spectrum of the Harvard community. HCP faculty teach undergraduates at Harvard College, students at Harvard Medical School, doctoral students in the university-wide PhD Program in Health Policy, master’s students at the Harvard School of Public Health, and, as of 2006, students in the combined MD/MBA program with Harvard Business School. The department hosts several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as visiting scholars.

We invite you to learn more about the depth and breadth of this unique department—a place where we not only carry out research on today’s critical health care policy issues but also guide those who will help shape tomorrow’s policy decisions. The issues we address affect all Americans, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, or income. Please explore our website and contact us if you would like more information.