This page features a selection of some of the projects the Health Economics Unit is currently working with, and the people we’re proud to be collaborating with.
Understanding the impact of Cardiovascular disease on maternal and child health
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death among women in the UK, and yet, it is often under-recognised as a women’s health issue. There are several gender-specific risk factors for CVD, including pregnancy-related conditions (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes), hormonal changes due to menopause, and autoimmune diseases. As part of efforts to address disparities, the British Heart Foundation has asked the Health Economics Unit to undertake research to understand the burden of CVD in women, maternal CVD health and its impact on infants and children, and associated costs.
Demand and capacity modelling for chest, heart and stroke services in Scotland
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to helping individuals living with chest, heart, stroke conditions, and Long COVID live life to the fullest. The Health Economics Unit (HEU) has been contacted to develop a robust demand and capacity model for their services. This model will initially focus on the activity taking place within the NHS Lothian area, to refine the approach and develop a successful case study, with plans to scale across all Scottish Health Boards.
Supporting Gloucestershire ICS in mapping their complex system
Following the sign off of the One Gloucestershire Data Strategy, created with support of the Health Economics Unit, Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board have moved into the delivery and realisation phase of the strategy. They asked the HEU to help create an Enterprise Architecture (EA) – a way of looking at the entire ICB; its people, processes, information, and technology as one connected system. The EA will be both ambitious and aligned to the data strategy, whilst recognising practical resource limitations.
Evaluating the Royal Free London’s Population Health Management programme
With support from the Royal Free Charity, the Royal Free London established the Royal Free Faculty of Population Health (FPH), in partnership with North Middlesex University Hospital. The FPH, which went live at the beginning of 2024, is a staff education and training programme, co-developed with staff and patients, to embed a culture of universal prevention as business as usual in an acute trust. The Health Economics Unit will work collaboratively with the Royal Free London for the three years of the FPH programme to do an independent economic evaluation from the perspective of the NHS.
Understanding testing levels for Cardiovascular Disease drivers
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet approximately 80% of CVD, including heart attack and stroke, is preventable. One genetic driver of CVD is lipoprotein(a) – often shortened to Lp(a). When elevated in the blood, it increases the chances of having a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or a stroke. The Health Economics Unit have been commissioned by Novartis to use analysis to understand what Lp(a) testing levels are currently in the UK, and what the impact would be by rolling it out further.
Evaluating the integration of dental students into hospitals
In England, hospital dental clinics provide specialised dental services like complex oral surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, and dental and maxillofacial radiology, accessible through referrals from general dental practices. They are also central function of training provision for student dentists. The Health Economics Unit was asked by the Dental Schools Council to assess the costs and consequences of integrating dental students into NHS hospital dental clinics.
Quality Assurance of NHS Health Checks
Imperial Health Impact Lab has developed the NHS Health Checks Longitudinal Population-Wide Clinical Outcomes and Health Economic Value Assessment (NOVA) model. This is a cost-consequence model that assesses the economic value of NHS Health Checks over a 10 year period. The Health Economics has been asked to provide quality assurance for the model.
Supporting Ireland’s healthcare system in prioritisation and resource allocation
Health care systems in Ireland are facing increasing financial pressures and reforms under Sláintecare to deliver more equitable, integrated and population-focused care. The Health Economics Unit has been commissioned by the Health Service Executive to support the development of a decision support tool to guide Health Regions in making transparent, evidence-based prioritisation and resource allocation decisions.