Health Economics

Applying economics to vaccine delivery can save money and lives. With better analytical knowledge and better skills in decision-analysis, decision makers can improve vaccination program sustainability, efficiency, and financial predictability, leading to overall improvement in health system allocative efficiency. This handbook is a practical and accessible guide to the theory, methods, and research of health economics applied to immunization, and an essential and timely addition to the series of Handbooks in Health Economic Evaluation. By bringing these principles of vaccines and economics together, it is a valuable resource for public health workers, healthcare practitioners, educators, students, researchers, decision makers, and all those working in the immunization field. The handbook guides readers through this critical subject, whether they are already versed in economics or new to the subject. The handbook includes practical examples relevant to high-, middle-, and low-income settings. It offers background information on vaccines and the vaccine landscape, with relevant reviews of vaccine financing, vaccine adoption, and scaling up vaccine delivery. The handbook's main chapters are on principles, costing, economic evaluation, advanced methods, and financing and resource tracking. Summarizing both theory and applications, it is suitable for self-learning and for training and courses. Links to online exercises and resources will help readers learn and apply key insights.

448 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780192649409

Distributional cost-effectiveness analysis aims to help health care and public health organisations make fairer decisions with better outcomes. Whereas standard cost-effectiveness analysis provides information about total costs and effects, distributional cost-effectiveness analysis provides additional information about fairness in the distribution of costs and effects - who gains, who loses, and by how much. It can also provide information about the trade-offs that sometimes occur between efficiency objectives, such as improving total health, and equity objectives, such as reducing unfair inequality in health.

This is a practical guide to a flexible suite of economic methods for quantifying the equity consequences of health programmes in high-, middle- and low-income countries. The methods can be tailored and combined in various ways to provide useful information to different decision-makers in different countries with different distributional equity concerns. The handbook is primarily aimed at postgraduate students and analysts specialising in cost-effectiveness analysis but is also accessible to a broader audience of health sector academics, practitioners, managers, policymakers and stakeholders. 

As well as offering an overview for research commissioners, users, and producers, the book includes systematic technical guidance on how to simulate and evaluate distributions, with accompanying hands-on spreadsheet training exercises, and discussions about how to handle uncertainty about facts and disagreement about values, and the future challenges facing this young and rapidly evolving field of study.

384 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780198838197

In today's world of scare resources, determining the optimal allocation of funds to preventive health care interventions (PHIs) is a challenge. The upfront investments needed must be viewed as long term projects, the benefits of which we will experience in the future. The long term positive change to PHIs from economic investment can be seen across multiple sectors such as health care, education, employment and beyond. 

Applied Health Economics for Public Health Practice and Research is the fifth in the series of Handbooks in Health Economic Evaluation. It presents new research on health economics methodology and application to the evaluation of public health interventions. Looking at traditional as well as novel methods of economic evaluation, the book covers the history of economics of public health and the economic rationale for government investment in prevention. In addition, it looks at principles of health economics, evidence synthesis, key methods of economic evaluation with accompanying case studies, and much more. 

Looking to the future, Applied Health Economics for Public Health Practice and Research presents priorities for research in the field of public health economics. It acknowledges the role played by natural environment in promoting better health, and the place of genetics, environment and socioeconomic status in determining population health. 

Ideal for health economists, public health researchers, local government workers, health care professionals, and those responsible for health policy development. Applied Health Economics for Public Health Practice and Research is an important contribution to the economic discussion of public health and resource allocation.

400 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780198737483

It is becoming increasingly important to examine the relationship between the outcomes of a clinical trial and the costs of the medical therapy under study. The results of such analysis can affect reimbursement decisions for new medical technologies, drugs, devices or diagnostics. It can aid companies seeking to make claims about the cost-effectiveness of their product, as well as allowing early consideration of the economic value of therapies which may be important to improving initial adoption decisions. It is also vital for addressing the requirements of regulatory bodies. 

Economic Evaluation in Clinical Trials provides practical advice on how to conduct cost-effectiveness analyses in controlled trials of medical therapies. This new edition has been extensively rewritten and revised; topics discussed range from design issues such as the types of services that should be measured and price weights, to assessment of quality-adjusted life years. Illustrative materials, case histories and worked examples are included to encourage the reader to apply the methods discussed. These exercises are supported with datasets, programmes and solutions made available online.

272 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780199685028

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive set of instructions and examples of how to perform a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of a health intervention. Developed out of a course run by Jordan Louviere at the University of Technology, Sydney, entitled An Introduction to Stated Preference Discrete Choice Modelling it has a particular focus on the use of stated preference survey methods to identify consumer preference data, as well as the use of recent developments in cost-effectiveness analysis within a CBA framework. In doing so, the most up to date methodologies for CBA are compiled in a comprehensive manner with the aim of advancing the methodology of CBA in healthcare.

288 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780199237128

The third volume in the Handbooks in Health Economic Evaluation series, this book provides the reader with a comprehensive set of instructions and examples of how to perform an economic evaluation of a health intervention. It focuses solely on cost-effectiveness analysis in health care. The book is developed out of the Advanced Methods of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis course taught at the University of Oxford and the four main sections mirror the four principal components of the course: Outcomes, Costs, Modelling using decision tress and Markov models, and Presenting cost-effectiveness results.

328 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780199227280

In financially constrained health systems across the world, increasing emphasis is being placed on the ability to demonstrate that health care interventions are not only effective, but also cost-effective. This book deals with decision modelling techniques that can be used to estimate the value for money of various interventions including medical devices, surgical procedures, diagnostic technologies, and pharmaceuticals. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the appropriate representation of uncertainty in the evaluative process and the implication this uncertainty has for decision making and the need for future research.

This highly practical guide takes the reader through the key principles and approaches of modelling techniques. It begins with the basics of constructing different forms of the model, the population of the model with input parameter estimates, analysis of the results, and progression to the holistic view of models as a valuable tool for informing future research exercises. Case studies and exercises are supported with online templates and solutions.

This book will help analysts understand the contribution of decision-analytic modelling to the evaluation of health care programmes.

256 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780198526629

In the newly revised Sixth Edition of Health Economics and Financing, an expert team of authors delivers an authoritative discussion of key topics in the economic and finance issues relevant to health care. From cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses to the economic considerations driving the choices of physicians, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies, the book explores the influence of financial considerations – both public and private – that remain front-of-mind for modern health care decision makers.

234 pages
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN13: 9781119788577

Designed as a true introduction to the subject, Essentials of Pharmacoeconomics: Health Economics and Outcomes Research, ThirdEdition includes information on fundamental topics, defines terminology, and provides examples for evaluating published research, making it perfect for any pharmacy student or practitioner new to the topic. 

This updated edition provides the critical foundations of knowledge for measuring costs and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and evaluating the four types of studies (CMA, CEA, CUA, and CBA); it also explains Markov and Budget Impact Analysis modeling, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using retrospective databases and real-world data (RWD). Additionally, the text summarizes the use of pharmacoeconomic evaluations by decision makers outside of the United States and the extent to which pharmacoeconomic data are used to make decisions in the United States, includes barriers to its use, and discusses future issues. All of this information is designed to ensure preparedness to improve clinical and humanistic outcomes based on available resources.

368 pages
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer
ISBN13: 9781975139445

This book provides an introduction to decision analytic cost-effectiveness modelling, giving the theoretical and practical knowledge required to design and implement analyses that meet the methodological standards of health technology assessment organisations. The book guides you through building a decision tree and Markov model and, importantly, shows how the results of cost-effectiveness analyses are interpreted.

Given the complex nature of cost-effectiveness modelling and the often unfamiliar language that runs alongside it, we wanted to make this book as accessible as possible whilst still providing a comprehensive, in-depth, practical guide that reflects the state of the art –  that includes the most recent developments in cost-effectiveness modelling. Although the nature of cost effectiveness modelling means that some parts are inevitably quite technical, across the 13 chapters we have broken down explanations of theory and methods into bite-sized pieces that you can work through at your own pace; we have provided explanations of terms and methods as we use them. Importantly, the exercises and online workbooks allow you to test your skills and understanding as you go along.

221 pages
Publisher: Adis
ISBN13: 9783319355764

The purpose of economic evaluation is to inform decisions intended to improve healthcare. The new edition of Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmesequips the reader with the necessary tools and understanding required to undertake evaluations by providing an outline of key principles and a 'tool kit' based on the authors' own experiences of undertaking economic evaluations.

Building on the strength of the previous edition, the accessible writing style ensures the text is key reading for the non-expert reader, as no prior knowledge of economics is required. The book employs a critical appraisal framework, which is useful both to researchers conducting studies and to decision-makers assessing them. Practical examples are provided throughout to aid learning and understanding.

The book discusses the analytical and policy challenges that face health systems in seeking to allocate resources efficiently and fairly. New chapters include 'Principles of economic evaluation' and 'Making decisions in healthcare' which introduces the reader to core issues and questions about resource allocation, and provides an understanding of the fundamental principles which guide decision making.

A key part of evidence-based decision making is the analysis of all the relevant evidence to make informed decisions and policy. The new chapter 'Identifying, synthesising and analysing evidence' highlights the importance of systematic review, and how and why these methods are used. As methods of analysis continue to develop, the chapter on 'Characterising, reporting and interpreting uncertainty' introduces the reader to recent methods of analysis and why characterizing uncertainty matters for health care decisions.

The fourth edition of Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes has been thoroughly revised and updated, making it essential reading for anyone commissioning, undertaking, or using economic evaluations in health care, including health service professionals, health economists, and health care decision makers.

464 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN13: 9780199665884

Economic Analysis in Health Care, Second Edition is intended as a core textbook for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of health economics. The authors provide comprehensive coverage of the field of economics in health care and the evaluation of health care technologies.

This edition has been fully revised with up-to-date case studies from the UK, Europe and the Rest of the World. It includes a new chapter on health care labour markets and contains new material integrated throughout the text on the economics of public health.

• Adopts an international perspective towards topics in health economics
• Creates a useful balance of theoretical treatment and practical application throughout the book
• Focuses on both market-related and economic evaluation aspects of health economics

402 pages
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN13: 9781119951490

All too often, economics is seen as a synonym for savings and financial pressure. However, what it really aims to do is find the best possible way to spend the available financial means. In order to apply economic thinking to healthcare, Annemans argues, the health sector should be viewed as a productive sector whose aim is to produce health, by ensuring that people live longer and more healthily. As 'productive' goes hand in hand with 'productivity', society must try to gain as much health as possible with the available means. Therefore, priority must be given to interventions (both preventive and curative) which result in the greatest amount of health for the money that is invested. These choices can be made by means of health economic evaluation. Hence, the second goal of this book is to explore the methods of health economic evaluation and explain them. Non-economists are frequently confronted with the results of such evaluations, for example in articles in medical journals, but often ignore them because they are not familiar with the terminology and techniques. This book aims to equip non-economists with enough knowledge to participate in the choices that are made in health care.

106 pages
Publisher: Academia Press
ISBN13: 9789038212746

There are so many ways in which health might be improved today and, as technology improves, the opportunities will increase. However, there are limits to budgets as well as other resources so choices have to be made about what to spend money and time on. Economic evaluation can help set out the value of the costs and benefits from competing choices. 

This book examines how to undertake economic evaluation of health care interventions in low, middle and high income countries. It covers:

• Ways in which economic evaluations might be structured 
• Approaches to measuring and valuing costs and effects 
• Interpreting and presenting evidence
• Appraising the quality and usefulness of economic evaluations

264 pages
Publisher: Open University
ISBN13: 9780335218479