Major new research initiatives at CHE

Posted on 2 February 2011

Two major programmes of research are commencing at the Centre for Health Economics, the result of successful bids to establish Policy Research Units funded through the Department of Health's policy research programme. The five-year awards will fund a range of projects addressing immediate and enduring policy concerns that build on CHE's long-standing track record of delivering high quality methodological and applied research in health economics.

The Economics of Social and Health Care Research Unit (ESHCRU) will undertake research into the funding and organisation of social and health care; the design and evaluation of regulations, incentives, and reimbursement policies; and measurement of quality, outcomes, productivity and efficiency. Directed by Professor Andrew Street at CHE, the research programme involves staff from the Universities of York, Kent and London School of Economics.

The Economic Evaluation Policy Research Unit (EEPRU) is a collaboration between CHE and the University of Sheffield. Directed by Professor John Brazier (University of Sheffield) with Professor Mark Sculpher from CHE as his deputy, the unit is tasked to undertake economic evaluation of health and care interventions. The unit has a work programme focussing on economic evaluation relating to obesity, mental health and innovative technologies, as well as methodological themes relating to outcomes, individualised health care and intersectoral effects of programmes and interventions.

Professor Maria Goddard, director of CHE, says "These programme grants build upon CHE's international renown in health economics, allowing us to explore exciting new areas of research, enhance our collaborative relationships with academics, policy makers and practitioners, and provide a robust evidence-base to inform policy and practice in health and social care."