Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL)

An introduction to HEAL

Professor Bruce Hollingsworth, Director of Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL), talks about research and opportunities for learning at Lancaster University.

HEAL Members

About HEAL

Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL) is a research group based in the Faculty of Health and Medicine with strong collaborative links with the Department of Economics. Our research produces evidence to support health policy making to improve population health and wellbeing. Our innovative educational programmes equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the field of health economics.

Photo of Bruce Hollingsworth

Welcome from the Director of HEAL

“We deliver insights and innovative approaches to help policy-makers make informed decisions about the allocation of finite resources. Health economics goes beyond assessing the value of new treatments, services, or policies; it also explores the wider implications for patients and communities. This includes examining the trade-offs when resources are directed to one area over another and analysing how the costs and benefits of healthcare are shared across different groups within society.”

Professor Bruce Hollingsworth

Study with Us

Our postgraduate programmes

Professor Céu Mateus,  Professor of Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL), talks about the postgraduate programmes in health economics and policy at Lancaster University.

MSc in Health Economics and Policy

The MSc in Health Economics and Policy meets the needs of those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of health economics theory, research and practice, whilst fulfilling their existing responsibilities.

MSc in Health Economics and Policy

PhD in Health Economics and Policy

The PhD in Health Economics and Policy meets the needs of those wishing to gain a deep and critical insight into health economics theory, research and practice and to develop or enhance research skills whilst fulfilling their existing responsibilities.

PhD in Health Economics and Policy

Traditional PhD (by research and thesis) in Health Research

We offer supervision of research students in many areas of health-related social science. We particularly welcome applications from students wishing to pursue research in the areas of health economics. We are especially interested in supporting applications for those applying for externally funded fellowships.

Health Research Traditional Route PhD

HEAL Publications

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Projects undertaken by HEAL members and associates

Current and Previous Projects

People

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Associated Staff

Marco Alfano

Guiseppe Migali

Maria Navarro Paniagua

Catherine Porter

Roger Prudon

Saurabh Singhal

Ian Walker

Huasheng Xiang


Honorary Staff

Vincent O Sullivan

Eugenio Zucchelli



Research Students

Rubab Ahmed

Chiara Costi

Mustafa Ozer

Cansu Oymak

HEAL membership also includes over 70 Blended Learning PhD and Master's students.

PhD Alumni (2021 - present day)

  • Cansu Oymak
    Economics, 2025
    Thesis: Essays on the economics of migration
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth, J-F Maystadt
  • Ken Shawa
    Health Economics and Policy, 2025
    Thesis: Effects of ill-health and health shocks on labour market outcomes under social protection constraints
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth, Eugenio Zucchelli
  • Neeta Tandon
    Health Economics and Policy, 2025
    Thesis: Super Utilization of Healthcare Resources Among Schizophrenia Patients in United States Medicaid System
    Supervisors: Céu Mateus; Faraz Ahmed
  • Rubab Ahmed
    Economics, 2025
    Thesis: Health at the Crossroads of Generations : Exploring the Economic Impact of Family Health
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth, Vincent O Sullivan
  • Facundo Herrera
    Health Economics and Policy, 2024
    Thesis: Exploring the association between ethnicity and mental health inequities : A study of ethnic minorities in the UK
    Supervisors: Céu Mateus; Giuseppe Migali
  • Isaac Chipako
    Health Economics and Policy, 2024
    Thesis: Analysis of the impact of sexual and reproductive health interventions, and determination of factors influencing the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives among young people in Zimbabwe
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth, Saurabh Singhal
  • John Byabagambi
    Health Economics and Policy, 2024
    Thesis: Sustainability of Donor-Supported HIV Prevention Services : A Mixed Methods Study of the Ability and Willingness to Pay for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Uganda
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth, Mark Limmer
  • William Dowd
    PhD Health Economics and Policy, 2024
    Thesis: Essays on the Economics of Increasing Public Naloxone Availability to Reduce Overdose Deaths
    Supervisors: Eugenio Zucchelli; Ian Walker
  • Patrick Berrigan
    PhD Health Economics and Policy, 2023
    Thesis: Essays on the Economics of Safe Consumption Sites
    Supervisors: Eugenio Zucchelli
  • Rob Willans
    PhD Health Economics and Policy, 2023
    Thesis: Essays on Scale and Scope Economies in the English NHS
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Katharina Janke; Mike Tsionas
  • Sebastian Lechner
    PhD Health Economics and Policy, 2023
    Thesis: Payment Models for Gene Therapies with Curative Potential Targeting Monogenic Disorders: A Swiss Study
    Supervisors: Céu Mateus; David Rietzke
  • Aphrodite Spanou
    PhD Public Health, 2022
    Thesis: Quantitative analyses of human West Nile Virus outbreaks in Greece, Hungary, Italy and Romania, 2010-2015
    Supervisors: Luigi Sedda; Céu Mateus
  • Mario Martinez Jimenez
    PhD Health Research, 2022
    Thesis: The Impact of Economic Shocks on Health and Health Inequalities
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Eugenio Zucchelli
  • Alex Bates
    PhD Health Economics and Policy, 2022
    Thesis: “Feeling Better Than Ever”: Are there any internally consistent responses to the challenge of ‘better than perfect’ human health enhancement technology in a health technology appraisal context?
    Supervisors: Céu Mateus; Sam Clark
  • Chiara Costi
    PhD Economics, 2022
    Thesis: Essays on the economic determinants of health and well-being
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Eugenio Zucchelli; Vincent O'Sullivan
  • Carmen Savelli
    PhD Public Health, 2021
    Thesis: A mixed-method exploration into the experiences of members of the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)
    Supervisors: Céu Mateus; Jane Simpson

PhD Alumni (prior to 2021)

  • Christopher H. Herbst
    PhD Public Health, 2020
    Thesis: Labour market preferences, attitudes and expectations of prospective health workers in Guinea
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Céu Mateus
  • Jack Higgins
    PhD Public Health, 2020
    Thesis: Ageing and Inequality
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Ian Walker
  • Luke Wilson
    PhD Health Research, 2019
    Thesis: Essays on the economics of alcohol and risky behaviours
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Colin Green; Céu Mateus
  • Emma Gorman
    PhD Economics, 2019
    Thesis: Three essays on the economics of human capital development
    Supervisors: Ian Walker; Eugenio Zucchelli
  • Khaing Soe
    PhD Public Health, 2019
    Thesis: What is the association between maternal education and childhood mortality, childhood illnesses and utilisation of child health services in Myanmar?
    Supervisor: Paula Holland; Céu Mateus
  • Alberto Nunez Elvira
    PhD Economics, 2018
    Thesis: Doctors' labour supply and incentives: A collection of essays
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Ian Walker
  • Christian Bautista
    PhD Public Health, 2018
    Thesis: STD in the US Military
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Jon Read
  • Ayesha Ali
    PhD Economics, 2016
    Thesis: Essays on health economics: Trans fat policies, commuting, physical activity and body mass index in the US
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Colin Green
  • Shane Murphy
    PhD Economics, 2016
    Thesis: Essays on the health economics of hospital quality
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Colin Green
  • Robert Pryce
    PhD Economics, 2016
    Thesis: The economics of alcohol: A collection of essays
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Ian Walker
  • Miaoqing Yang
    PhD Economics, 2016
    Thesis: Health equity and public health
    Supervisors: Bruce Hollingsworth; Colin Green

HEAL News

The regional economic divide between the North and the South has increased since 2018

Poor health in the North costing the UK billions in lost productivity

Closing the health gap between the North and the rest of England could put an extra £18.4 billion into the economy per year according to new research. 
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You are invited to an inaugural lecture by Professor Vishnu Chandrabalan

The Faculty of Health and Medicine is hosting an inaugural lecture by Honorary Clinical Chair Professor Vishnu Chandrabalan on July 10.
Bruce Hollingsworth

Royal Economic Society honour for Lancaster Professor Bruce Hollingsworth

Professor of Health Economics Bruce Hollingsworth has been appointed a Founding Fellow of the Royal Economic Society. 
From left: Mark Spencer, Ailsa Brotherton and Vishnu Chandrabalan

You are invited to three inaugural lectures in the Faculty of Health and Medicine

The Faculty of Health and Medicine is hosting inaugural lectures by three Honorary Clinical Chairs.
Participants were more likely to start and maintain purposeful exercise at if they had the support of wearable technology

Smartwatches may help control diabetes through exercise

Wearable mobile health technology could help people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) to stick to exercise regimes that help them to keep the condition under control, a new study reveals.
The research, conducted across 15 hospitals, enrolled nearly 2,000 children aged between 72 hours and 18 years with suspected bacterial infections

PCT blood test does not lower antibiotic treatment duration for hospitalised children

A groundbreaking UK study including Lancaster University has examined whether an additional blood test called procalcitonin (PCT) could safely shorten the time children spend on intravenous (IV) antibiotics in hospitals. 

More News

Contact Us

Bruce Hollingsworth
Director

Email: b.hollingsworth@lancaster.ac.uk

Tom Mason
Admissions Tutor

Email: t.mason5@lancaster.ac.uk

Céu Mateus
Engagement Lead

Email: c.mateus@lancaster.ac.uk