University of York Centre for Health Economics

University of York Centre for Health Economics
Name	University of York Centre for Health Economics
Established	1978
Type	Research centre
Parent	University of York
Location	York
Country	England
Director	Allan W. P. Smith

University of York Centre for Health Economics is a research centre at the University of York specialising in applied health economics, health technology assessment and outcomes research. The centre is noted for contributions to health policy analysis, cost-effectiveness methods and evidence synthesis used by agencies such as National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, National Health Service bodies and international organisations. It houses methodological groups and provides postgraduate teaching closely connected to research and policy commissioning.

History

Founded in 1978, the centre emerged during debates that involved figures from World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and advisers linked to the Department of Health and Social Care. Early work intersected with health services research at institutions like London School of Economics, University of Manchester, and University of Oxford, and responded to policy reviews influenced by actors such as Acheson Report proponents and analysts associated with King's Fund. Over decades the centre collaborated with statutory bodies including National Institute for Clinical Excellence, consultancies such as RAND Corporation, and international partners including European Commission programmes. Directors and scholars have engaged with panels convened by Royal Society-linked committees, panels chaired by figures from House of Commons health select committees, and expert groups tied to the Nuffield Trust.

Research and Methods

Research spans economic evaluation, decision-analytic modelling, patient-reported outcome measures and value assessment, drawing methodological lineage from work at Brown University, Harvard University, and modelling traditions used by Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. The centre develops cost-utility techniques used alongside trialists from Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, and Cancer Research UK-funded programmes. Methods groups produce guidance cited in reports by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, European Medicines Agency, and policy units linked to World Bank. Researchers apply Bayesian statistics with collaborators at University of Cambridge, meta-analysis frameworks originating in work at Cochrane Collaboration, and health-state valuation methods informed by studies associated with EuroQol Group.

Education and Training

The centre delivers taught programmes and doctoral supervision connected to Department of Health Sciences, University of York, attracting students who previously studied at University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and international universities such as University of Toronto and University of Melbourne. Courses feed into career pathways at organisations including NHS England, Public Health England, and private firms like IQVIA. Training modules have been presented at conferences hosted by International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Health Technology Assessment International, and executive education forums associated with Imperial College London.

Policy Impact and Consultancy

The centre provides commissioned evaluations and consultancy to agencies such as NICE, Department for International Development, and multilaterals including World Health Organization and World Bank. Its modelling and economic appraisals have informed reimbursement decisions referenced by national bodies in Scotland, Wales, and regulatory discussions at European Medicines Agency. Consultancy work has interfaced with pharmaceutical companies that engage with British Generic Manufacturers Association, patient groups connected to Macmillan Cancer Support, and professional bodies including Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of General Practitioners. Outputs have been used in parliamentary evidence submitted to committees chaired by members of the House of Commons.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The centre maintains formal links with academic units such as Centre for Health Economics (University of York)-adjacent departments, but also with external partners including RAND Corporation, Institute for Fiscal Studies, NIHR programmes, and international universities like Johns Hopkins University and University of Washington. Collaborative networks include participation in consortia funded by European Commission Framework programmes and partnerships with health technology assessment agencies such as Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services and Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Multi-centre trials and modelling projects involve clinical partners at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and specialty centres like Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Awards and Recognition

Scholars associated with the centre have received fellowships and awards from organisations including Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Economic and Social Research Council, and prizes presented by International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. The centre’s methodological outputs have been recognised in citation indices and highlighted in reviews by NICE and by panels convened by Wellcome Trust. Individual researchers have been elected to fellowships of bodies such as Faculty of Public Health and have held visiting appointments at institutions including Harvard University and University of Cambridge.

Category:Health economics Category:University of York