Bren Collins
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breconomics.bsky.social
Bren Collins
@breconomics.bsky.social
220 followers 300 following 29 posts
Health economist /ROI Specialist - working in Health Service and Academia.
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Reposted by Bren Collins
livuni-phps.bsky.social
1/ 🚨 Two fully funded #PhD studentships for UK students

❓ Are you passionate about making a difference for people’s health and wellbeing? Would you like to learn cutting edge data science skills for real impact?

🔗: www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/two-...

#AcademicJobs #ResearchJobs #PublicHealth
Two fully funded studentships in the Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems. | Courses | University of Liverpool
Shape the future of public health with a fully funded PhD at the University of Liverpool. Join a world-leading team using cutting-edge data science and AI to tackle real-world challenges—like homeless...
www.liverpool.ac.uk
September 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
owenbowdenjones.bsky.social
JUST PUBLISHED: ACMD report on prevention of drug use by young people in the UK assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6835e4...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
May 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Is it normal to have five different kinds of gherkins on the go in your fridge at the same time? Asking for a friend #gherkins
Shot inside fridge showing 5 jars of gherkins of various types.
May 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Bren Collins
livuni-phps.bsky.social
📣 Funded 3yr PhD opening for UK applicants in @hpruezi.bsky.social @liverpooluni.bsky.social. #PhDSky

🧪 On "Economic Evaluation of NPIs for the control of epidemics" #IDSky #EpiSky

👥 Supervised by our colleague @breconomics.bsky.social

⏳ Apply by 09 Jun 2025

🔗: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
About the Project This studentship explores the economics of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for emerging zoonotic infections, building on evidence of implementation challenges during COVID-19. It aims to develop economic models & define cost-benefit by considering trade-offs between health outcomes and macroeconomic outcomes. The research will establish a utility function for NPIs, identify tipping points, and assess their cost-effectiveness & impact on health inequalities, ultimately informing future epidemic & pandemic preparedness & policy. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a world-leading team delivering research relevant to public health. This PhD opportunity is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging & Zoonotic Infections (EZI). NIHR HPRUs undertake high quality research that enhances the ability of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to protect the public’s health & minimise the health impact of emergencies. This studentship focuses on economics of NPIs for controlling emerging zoonotic infections (EZIs). NPIs are sometimes called Public Health & Social Measures (PHSM). Globalisation, increasing human encroachment into animal habitats & rapid global travel mean that the risk of EZIs is increasing. NPIs such as mass asymptomatic testing with self-isolation of positives & risk mitigation for cultural events, that use a synthetic control analysis approach, had an enormous impact in controlling COVID-19. However, their introduction was not straightforward, with major challenges around their feasibility & acceptability. Most evidence in support of NPIs is from observational & ecological studies. Decisions around NPIs during the pandemic were aimed at saving lives & protecting the NHS. However, many NPIs, especially those which limit civic freedoms & ability to work, have major economic consequences, often not factored into modelling or decision making. We will characterise and optimise the economic impact of NPIs by developing cost models based on evidence synthesis. We will define cost benefit in terms of short-/long-term health outcomes(e.g. health and social care cost savings and QALYs gained, wellbeing) and macroeconomics(e.g. change in GDP/GVA) and establish a weighting between the two based on data from the COVID-19 pandemic(e.g. stringency of restrictions vs. economic impacts). We will develop a utility function for NPIs and define the ‘tipping point’ and understand if an NPI is a ‘win-win’ - cost effective and able to reduce health inequalities. This PhD will combine infectious disease epidemiology, economics and policy modelling so would suit someone with a background in several of these areas. It will involve talking to decision makers to understand their priorities and how different outcomes are weighted in decision making. The exact focus of this PhD will be agreed with the successful applicant based on their own background, and research interests. This is a brief summary. Support Structure The student will have PhD supervisor meetings every two weeks initially, then monthly. The student will be hosted in the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems at University of Liverpool which has a proud history of Public Health research and will benefit from a positive, empowering research community. About the HPRU-EZI The HPRU-EZI is a partnership between the Universities of Liverpool, Oxford and Glasgow, Liverpool-STM, London-SHTM and UKHSA. HPRU-EZI has been running since 2014 and supports and strengthens UKHSA in its role protecting England from emerging infections and zoonoses (i.e. those which spread from animals to humans). For further details please see our brochure and our website: http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/media/artlflhc/hpru-ezi-brochure.pdf http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/ This PhD studentship falls under the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions theme. For initial queries or to arrange an informal chat please email your CV, cover letter and project title to brenc@liv.ac.uk Interviews are likely to take place in June/July 2025 with a plan for the PhD to begin in around October 2025, for a period of three years. Funding Notes The studentship is funded by NIHR HPRU EZI-3 project. The studentship includes a stipend (currently £19,237) and UK/home tuition fees for 3 years, plus a budget for computer, consumables, travel and publications and some budget for training. What we are looking for First degree in a numerate subject(e.g. Maths, Economics, Psychology). Masters degree in a relevant subject(e.g. global health, epidemiology, health economics etc) or relevant work experience. This is a multidisciplinary studentship so candidates will need to be proactive in working across different disciplines and driving their own learning. They will also need to be able to search the policy literature and organize workshops with decision makers to understand priorities. People from diverse backgrounds have historically been under-represented in the health and social care research talent pipeline. We are committed to addressing under-representation in research training awards and encourage applications from diverse groups.
May 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Did we think enough about the economic costs of NPIs in the covid-19 pandemic? What should we do differently in future epidemics/pandemics?

Really exciting fully funded PhD opportunity with me, combining policy, infectious diseases, and economic modelling. Please reach out to me if interested.
May 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by Bren Collins
unicefusa.org
UNICEF's Julia Rees reports from one of the areas most impacted by the earthquake in #Myanmar. Families already surviving in fragile conditions now face even greater hardship, with limited access to safe water, health care and shelter.

UNICEF is on the ground mobilizing urgently needed supplies.
April 2, 2025 at 11:06 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
My very talented colleagues at PHW have published lots of papers lately around SROI and social value for physical activity, mental health, and healthy ageing:

phwwhocc.co.uk/resources/th...

phwwhocc.co.uk/resources/so...

phwwhocc.co.uk/resources/th...
The Social Return on Investment of Physical Activity and Nutrition Interventions - a Scoping Review - World Health Organization Collaborating Centre On Investment for Health and Well-being
Scarcity of resources for public health and mounting pressures on health systems such as the Covid-19 pandemic, make it vital to evaluate public health interventions and move away from traditional eva...
phwwhocc.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Guest seminar in Liverpool Institute for Population Health next week:
March 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
victimofmaths.bsky.social
Looking at cider overall, the proportion of households buying cider fell, as you might expect given it was the most affected product under MUP. But this fall was *much* larger in younger (under 28) households.
January 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
victimofmaths.bsky.social
We also look at changes in Wales in the proportion of households that buy wine or spirits ("penetration") and fine these rose relative to England in 2020, but had fallen below pre-pandemic levels by 2022.

We also find that 45-54 year olds were spending more on cider post-MUP.
January 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
victimofmaths.bsky.social
But when we compare how that increase looked in Wales (in blue) to England (in red), we can see that purchase volume rose slightly less in Wales. We can also clearly see the effects of MUP on price, with average spend on alcohol per shopping trip and overall spend rising more in Wales.
January 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
victimofmaths.bsky.social
The fact that MUP in Wales came in immediately before the first lockdown makes evaluating its impact challenging. Our data only covers alcohol bought in shops, so we see a rise in average weekly purchase (AWP) of alcohol in our data at the start of lockdown, when pubs closed.
January 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Bren Collins
victimofmaths.bsky.social
Another day, another cool new paper, this time with Sonam Billan and @breconomics.bsky.social looking at the impact of Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol sales in Wales.

We find alcohol sales fell, particularly among younger cider drinkers.

doi.org/10.1016/j.pu...
January 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
breconomics.bsky.social
Ever wondered which diseases are undiagnosed more than others, and whether this varies by area and by deprivation? New paper led by Olga Anosova

journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Estimating the burden of underdiagnosis within England: A modelling study of linked primary care data
Introduction Undiagnosed chronic disease has serious health consequences, and variation in rates of underdiagnosis between populations can contribute to health inequalities. We aimed to estimate the l...
journals.plos.org
January 15, 2025 at 6:58 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Enjoyed some Schlittenfahrenzeit with my kids this morning
January 5, 2025 at 9:27 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Evidence Synthesis Officer (NHS Band 6) Public Health Wales.

Post in Public Health Economics and Value team in the WHOCC on Investment for Health and Well-being. One of the main responsibilities will be in joint project with PAHO on the social value of immunization.

phw.nhs.wales/careers/#!/j...
Careers
phw.nhs.wales
December 19, 2024 at 1:51 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Come and work with me and my colleagues on an exciting project with the Health Foundation around modelling multimorbidity

Research Fellow (Epidemiology & Data Science)

Public Health, Policy & Systems

Grade 8 £46,485 - £58,596 pa

07-Jan-2025 23:30

my.corehr.com/pls/ulivrecr...
Job Specification
my.corehr.com
December 17, 2024 at 12:04 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Really interesting commentary on 50 years of QALYs. I wonder how we will be prioritising health interventions in 50 years time ?

www.ispor.org/publications...
Measuring Value—The QALY Turns 50: What Has It Achieved and What Is Its Future?
www.ispor.org
December 13, 2024 at 8:13 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
I have been enjoying reading a bit of this by @kityates.bsky.social in the last few days - would recommend
December 6, 2024 at 3:12 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Pleased to see this published

www.who.int/europe/news/...
Wales’s commitment to becoming a well-being economy spotlighted by WHO report
Gross domestic product (GDP) alone does not define what constitutes a healthy economy, just as the absence of illness is not the sole measure of good health. Wales (United Kingdom) is now leading the ...
www.who.int
November 23, 2024 at 8:10 AM
breconomics.bsky.social
Interested in healthy food environments in Zimbabwe? I am looking forward to presenting at this webinar organised by UNICEF Zimbabwe next Thursday 11am Zimbabwe time (9am UK time).
November 14, 2024 at 8:37 PM
breconomics.bsky.social
Still time to register for my REAL seminar next week on using health economics in local government and devolved administrations- it's free and open to anyone to attend online

www.york.ac.uk/che/events-a...
The REAL Units’ Health Economics and Policy Seminar Series - Brendan Collins
Seminar speaker: Brendan Collins
www.york.ac.uk
November 12, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Bren Collins
profhrs.bsky.social
Very pleased that our team has been awarded funding to develop an innovative new universal drug prevention intervention with targeted components for older adolescents www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-res...
New research to help reduce demand for drugs in young people
www.nihr.ac.uk
November 7, 2024 at 8:40 AM
breconomics.bsky.social
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #2,757,862!
September 19, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Bren Collins
fascinatorfun.bsky.social
National Trust Members:

Time to use the Quick Vote Option to block the usual shenanigans from Farage/ Tufton St “Restore Trust”

You will find your membership number on your card or on an email from the National Trust sent to you in the last week or so.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Annual General Meeting
Your Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at 10am on Saturday 2 November 2024 at the Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
September 12, 2024 at 5:35 PM