Health Economics Unit
We use health economics research and training to support national and international improvements in health and health equity
The Health Economics Unit undertakes a range of health economics work, including economic evaluation, measuring and valuing health and wellbeing, health systems research, economic modelling and risk prediction, health inequality, and methodological research. Our projects have informed policy-making decisions in a range of areas, at State, Commonwealth and International levels. We work within the Centre for Health Policy at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, and form part of the wider University of Melbourne Health Economics Group.
Our applied research spans the following key areas
-
Child Health
Our Unit works with clinicians and other researchers on a broad range of child health themes.
-
Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases cause nearly three-quarters of all deaths globally.
-
Genomic Medicine
Genomics is an area within medical science that examines the ‘genome’—the complete set of our genetic information.
-
Global Health
Our Unit works with clinicians and other researchers on a range of global health themes across low- and middle-income countries.
-
Infectious Diseases and Infections
Our research on infectious diseases and infections
-
Mental Health
Our team are involved in a variety of research projects related to Mental Health
-
Social Care and Vulnerable Populations
Our research includes the Social Care Sector and vulnerable populations.
Health Economics Methods
In our work we apply and pioneer key health economics methods, including ways to measure and value health, decision and choice modelling
Latest HEU News
Newsletters
Further highlights from the HEU can be found in our past newsletters
Upcoming Opportunities
Learning
We offer a range of short courses in health economics, from one-day introductory level courses to three-day practical courses in economic evaluation.
Virtual Visitor Program
We have established a Virtual Visitor Program to enable PhD students and early career researchers from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) to be selected to participate online for free in our selective academic activities.
Health Economics contact details:
Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street
The University of Melbourne
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Victoria, 3010, Australia
Email: health-economics@unimelb.edu.au
Twitter: @HEU_unimelb
Our research aims to improve health and healthcare delivery in Australia and internationally.
For more information on the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health's research, visit their research page.
-
Applied Research Areas
We specialise in the application of health economics across many areas, including Child Health, Genomic Medicine, Global Health, Mental Health and more.
-
Methods Research Areas
Our methodological expertise spans across health economics, policy, and econometrics.
-
Publications
Our Unit produces consistently high-quality peer reviewed publications.
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, we have Health Economics study options to suit your needs and schedule.
For more information on the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health's research, visit their study page.
-
Graduate Certificate in Health Economics
The Graduate Certificate of Health Economics and Economic Evaluation offers students the opportunity to develop core skills and knowledge in health economics. Students will learn the fundamental principles of health economics, gain an awareness of the Australian health care system and the complexities of health care finance and resource allocation within a global context.
-
Health Economics/Economic Evaluation Stream within the Master of Public Health
We offer specialisation in health economics within the Master of Public Health. The health economics/economic evaluation (HE/EE) stream is for students who want to specialise in health economics and economic evaluation. There is no prior background knowledge in economics required to select this stream.
-
PhD in Health Economics
We are a world class group of researchers producing cutting-edge research of high quality and impact. We provide an active and growing PhD program with structured mentoring and an active seminar series. A talented and dynamic current PhD cohort provides a great community of support and will enhance your PhD experience. Here is why you should study a PhD with the Health Economics Unit.
The Health Economics Unit has a range of Australian and international engagements.
These exist across the health sector and include other academic and research institutions, hospitals and healthcare delivery providers, industry, media, and government ministries and departments.
Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical and Health research (MISCH)
The Health Economics Unit serves as the Health Economics arm of the Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical and Health (MISCH) research platform for researchers requiring support with their research.
University of Melbourne Health Economics Group (UMHEG)
UMHEG is a cross-faculty network of over 50 health economists based at the University of Melbourne that conducts collaborative applied and methodological health economic research. The group aims to: conduct high quality, policy relevant research across a number of areas of health economics; build capacity in health economics through post-graduate research supervision and teaching; create a supportive connected environment for health economists working across the University; and raise the profile of health economics across the University and Australia.
For more information about short courses offered by the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, visit the short course website.
Melbourne Health Technology and Value Assessment Collaboration (M-VAC)
The Centre for Health Policy is the coordinating home to M-VAC, established in 2021 and contracted to conduct value-based assessments and evaluations of pharmaceuticals, health services and technologies, preventive and curative programs, and digital health applications.
The Centre for Health Policy, Health Economics Unit, Cancer Health Services Research Unit and Evaluation and Implementation Science collaborate to focus on evidence to inform better policy and practice. Activities include:
- Supporting decisions about the listing of new medical devices and pharmaceuticals for State Governments, Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)
- Post-market Review (e.g., MBS Review)
- Prosthesis List Reform
- HTA rapid reviews
- Development-focused HTA: Early lifecycle advice, guidance, and value proposition development for early stage innovations, including technologies, services, system reforms, and digital health applications (e.g., via the Validitron)
- National screening programs
- Payment system reforms
M-VAC is a large and experienced evaluation collaborative supported by a strong and integrated Leadership Team. The Group Leader is Associate Professor Kim Dalziel who is Head of Health Economics Unit. Professor Maarten IJzerman (Head of Cancer Health Services Research Unit) and Professor Adam Elshaug (Director of Centre for Health Policy) are also part of the Leadership Team.
The Collaboration is supported by a Scientific Expert Panel comprising of clinical trial, epidemiology, biostatistics and research methodology experts from the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, vaccine and infectious disease modelling and evaluation, and clinical evaluation, health economics and economic modelling experts from the Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical and Health Research Hub (MISCH) and Centre for Health Policy. The team is also supported by Clinical Expert Panel Members.
The organisational structure of M-VAC is shown in the figure below, noting this configuration of experts relates to its support of PBAC assessments.
