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As a population we have greater access to health technology and expertise than ever before, yet there has never been so much constraint on the health dollar. How do we optimise the operation of the health system and how do we allocate resources to maximise health and to make it fair for all? These are the questions that health economists seek to address.

The application of health economics extends from most efficient practice at an individual level, to national health expenditure and to comparative health systems in other countries. For example health economists assess the cost-effectiveness of new drugs prior to their listing on the PBS. They also work with organisations such as the WHO in the distribution of foreign aid in order to ensure maximum health within the dollars available. Health economists work in the public and private sectors and the demand for skills in this area means that there is a wide range of employment opportunities.

Because of pressures to continually improve health within available resources, most countries are currently targeting reform of their health care systems and Australia is no exception. A strong focus of reform is the attention to efficiency and equity which represent the domain of the health economist. Consideration of equity requires examination of the distribution of resources in addition to maximising aggregate health outcomes. Global inequity is recognised as a major world threat by economists and one means of addressing inequity is through appropriate delivery and financing of health care.

Health economists are trained to apply the concepts and tools of economic analysis to health and health care, including the functioning of health care markets and the economic evaluation of health care programs, policies and interventions.

Qualifications for health economists include an economics degree and an understanding of health, particularly at the systems level.

As a result, an ideal UWA major combination would be Economics (single major, under the Bachelor of Commerce) and Population Health (under the Bachelor of Science).

Postgraduate qualifications will offer even greater employment opportunities.

For more information, contact:

School of Population Health