Starting from the relationship between health and economic growth, the course aims to offer an analysis of the problems related to the provision of health services in a context like the Italian one, characterized by the presence of public and private providers. The decision-making process of individuals is examined in depth with regard to the investment in health and the use of care services. Attention is then focused on the organization of markets for health services and the dynamics of interaction between consumers and providers. Information asymmetry will be an important topic of discussion. We will then move from theory to practice by presenting the main features of the Italian health care system. This will be followed by an analysis of reforms in the main countries of the OECD.