Health Economics
@hec-wiley.bsky.social
The official Bluesky account of Health Economics. Featuring theoretical contributions, empirical studies and analyses of health policy from the economic perspective.
Public investment in global health research can pay off — locally.
New evidence shows that returning African scientists trained through @NIH programs boost HIV research, grants, trials, and policy impact at home.
tinyurl.com/259rxc3t
New evidence shows that returning African scientists trained through @NIH programs boost HIV research, grants, trials, and policy impact at home.
tinyurl.com/259rxc3t
January 15, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Public investment in global health research can pay off — locally.
New evidence shows that returning African scientists trained through @NIH programs boost HIV research, grants, trials, and policy impact at home.
tinyurl.com/259rxc3t
New evidence shows that returning African scientists trained through @NIH programs boost HIV research, grants, trials, and policy impact at home.
tinyurl.com/259rxc3t
🚨 New Research: Confinement during the pandemic was a major factor in Japan’s rising female suicide rates.
📉 Study shows ~35% of suicides among females <20 were linked to staying at home.
We must prioritize social connection in future public health plans. tinyurl.com/3d2d3hm4
📉 Study shows ~35% of suicides among females <20 were linked to staying at home.
We must prioritize social connection in future public health plans. tinyurl.com/3d2d3hm4
January 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
🚨 New Research: Confinement during the pandemic was a major factor in Japan’s rising female suicide rates.
📉 Study shows ~35% of suicides among females <20 were linked to staying at home.
We must prioritize social connection in future public health plans. tinyurl.com/3d2d3hm4
📉 Study shows ~35% of suicides among females <20 were linked to staying at home.
We must prioritize social connection in future public health plans. tinyurl.com/3d2d3hm4
How do insurers respond when patients face multiple health risks? Evidence from Chile’s private health system shows strong asymmetric information across risks, shaping premiums, plan design, and who gets covered.
Risk selection is more complex than we think. tinyurl.com/26s93chm
Risk selection is more complex than we think. tinyurl.com/26s93chm
January 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM
How do insurers respond when patients face multiple health risks? Evidence from Chile’s private health system shows strong asymmetric information across risks, shaping premiums, plan design, and who gets covered.
Risk selection is more complex than we think. tinyurl.com/26s93chm
Risk selection is more complex than we think. tinyurl.com/26s93chm
Is European health progress truly "fair"? 🌍
New data shows income-based health looks progressive, but when you factor in parental background and job status, the trend reverses. 📉
🏥 Italy leads in favorable dynamics. 🚻 Women lead in IT/DE; men in FI.
tinyurl.com/yj8wh4vw
New data shows income-based health looks progressive, but when you factor in parental background and job status, the trend reverses. 📉
🏥 Italy leads in favorable dynamics. 🚻 Women lead in IT/DE; men in FI.
tinyurl.com/yj8wh4vw
January 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Is European health progress truly "fair"? 🌍
New data shows income-based health looks progressive, but when you factor in parental background and job status, the trend reverses. 📉
🏥 Italy leads in favorable dynamics. 🚻 Women lead in IT/DE; men in FI.
tinyurl.com/yj8wh4vw
New data shows income-based health looks progressive, but when you factor in parental background and job status, the trend reverses. 📉
🏥 Italy leads in favorable dynamics. 🚻 Women lead in IT/DE; men in FI.
tinyurl.com/yj8wh4vw
Spending $1 on fossil fuel subsidies can cost $0.35 in public health funding. 💸🏥
A new 126-country study reveals how these subsidies "crowd out" health budgets, stalling progress on #SDG3.
The choice: cheap fuel or healthy people? 🌍
tinyurl.com/36ec52z5
A new 126-country study reveals how these subsidies "crowd out" health budgets, stalling progress on #SDG3.
The choice: cheap fuel or healthy people? 🌍
tinyurl.com/36ec52z5
January 8, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Spending $1 on fossil fuel subsidies can cost $0.35 in public health funding. 💸🏥
A new 126-country study reveals how these subsidies "crowd out" health budgets, stalling progress on #SDG3.
The choice: cheap fuel or healthy people? 🌍
tinyurl.com/36ec52z5
A new 126-country study reveals how these subsidies "crowd out" health budgets, stalling progress on #SDG3.
The choice: cheap fuel or healthy people? 🌍
tinyurl.com/36ec52z5
China’s Zero-Markup Drug Policy reshaped prescribing incentives.
New evidence shows doctors’ choices respond far more to hospital profit margins than patient prices—cutting costs and improving patient welfare.
tinyurl.com/5yxymscm
New evidence shows doctors’ choices respond far more to hospital profit margins than patient prices—cutting costs and improving patient welfare.
tinyurl.com/5yxymscm
December 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
China’s Zero-Markup Drug Policy reshaped prescribing incentives.
New evidence shows doctors’ choices respond far more to hospital profit margins than patient prices—cutting costs and improving patient welfare.
tinyurl.com/5yxymscm
New evidence shows doctors’ choices respond far more to hospital profit margins than patient prices—cutting costs and improving patient welfare.
tinyurl.com/5yxymscm
Disability insurance doesn’t always replace work. Evidence from Italy shows that when benefits can be combined with earnings, higher DI generosity raises take-up but has only minor effects on employment.
DI can function as a complement to labor income. tinyurl.com/2ewarya5
DI can function as a complement to labor income. tinyurl.com/2ewarya5
December 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Disability insurance doesn’t always replace work. Evidence from Italy shows that when benefits can be combined with earnings, higher DI generosity raises take-up but has only minor effects on employment.
DI can function as a complement to labor income. tinyurl.com/2ewarya5
DI can function as a complement to labor income. tinyurl.com/2ewarya5
A new study finds that early exposure to the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit shapes later child health in different ways across families.
The reason isn’t the credit itself — it’s how families adjust childcare arrangements when policy nudges their options.
tinyurl.com/4fh57v6z
The reason isn’t the credit itself — it’s how families adjust childcare arrangements when policy nudges their options.
tinyurl.com/4fh57v6z
December 18, 2025 at 8:02 AM
A new study finds that early exposure to the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit shapes later child health in different ways across families.
The reason isn’t the credit itself — it’s how families adjust childcare arrangements when policy nudges their options.
tinyurl.com/4fh57v6z
The reason isn’t the credit itself — it’s how families adjust childcare arrangements when policy nudges their options.
tinyurl.com/4fh57v6z
New research from Germany shows that regular grandparental care boosts parents’ well-being — especially mothers — but comes with a small trade-off: children cared for by grandparents show slightly poorer health outcomes.
A real-world care puzzle.
tinyurl.com/3rrhfnkv
A real-world care puzzle.
tinyurl.com/3rrhfnkv
December 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
New research from Germany shows that regular grandparental care boosts parents’ well-being — especially mothers — but comes with a small trade-off: children cared for by grandparents show slightly poorer health outcomes.
A real-world care puzzle.
tinyurl.com/3rrhfnkv
A real-world care puzzle.
tinyurl.com/3rrhfnkv
Does free insurance improve access? Evidence from France says yes.
A study of a means-tested complementary insurance program shows that lowering out-of-pocket costs boosts care use among low-income patients.
tinyurl.com/yyp5ra95
A study of a means-tested complementary insurance program shows that lowering out-of-pocket costs boosts care use among low-income patients.
tinyurl.com/yyp5ra95
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Does free insurance improve access? Evidence from France says yes.
A study of a means-tested complementary insurance program shows that lowering out-of-pocket costs boosts care use among low-income patients.
tinyurl.com/yyp5ra95
A study of a means-tested complementary insurance program shows that lowering out-of-pocket costs boosts care use among low-income patients.
tinyurl.com/yyp5ra95
A new study shows that stronger labor market policies improve maternal mental health before pregnancy.
A $1 rise in the minimum wage cuts pre-pregnancy depression by 8.5%, and a $100 increase in the state EITC lowers it by 1.5%.
Income support matters early. tinyurl.com/45ntn6rn
A $1 rise in the minimum wage cuts pre-pregnancy depression by 8.5%, and a $100 increase in the state EITC lowers it by 1.5%.
Income support matters early. tinyurl.com/45ntn6rn
December 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
A new study shows that stronger labor market policies improve maternal mental health before pregnancy.
A $1 rise in the minimum wage cuts pre-pregnancy depression by 8.5%, and a $100 increase in the state EITC lowers it by 1.5%.
Income support matters early. tinyurl.com/45ntn6rn
A $1 rise in the minimum wage cuts pre-pregnancy depression by 8.5%, and a $100 increase in the state EITC lowers it by 1.5%.
Income support matters early. tinyurl.com/45ntn6rn
New evidence shows that growing up in families receiving larger Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits reduces work disability in adulthood.
Long-term income support does more than fight poverty — it shapes lifelong health.
tinyurl.com/4ww5hjtr
Long-term income support does more than fight poverty — it shapes lifelong health.
tinyurl.com/4ww5hjtr
December 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
New evidence shows that growing up in families receiving larger Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits reduces work disability in adulthood.
Long-term income support does more than fight poverty — it shapes lifelong health.
tinyurl.com/4ww5hjtr
Long-term income support does more than fight poverty — it shapes lifelong health.
tinyurl.com/4ww5hjtr
Health Economics Volume 35, Issue 1 is out.
The cover looks calm. The papers inside are anything but — sharp methods, tough questions, and a few results that challenge conventional wisdom.
Don't judge a journal by its cover — even when it looks this good!
tinyurl.com/4kvxpekb
The cover looks calm. The papers inside are anything but — sharp methods, tough questions, and a few results that challenge conventional wisdom.
Don't judge a journal by its cover — even when it looks this good!
tinyurl.com/4kvxpekb
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Health Economics Volume 35, Issue 1 is out.
The cover looks calm. The papers inside are anything but — sharp methods, tough questions, and a few results that challenge conventional wisdom.
Don't judge a journal by its cover — even when it looks this good!
tinyurl.com/4kvxpekb
The cover looks calm. The papers inside are anything but — sharp methods, tough questions, and a few results that challenge conventional wisdom.
Don't judge a journal by its cover — even when it looks this good!
tinyurl.com/4kvxpekb
A new study shows why preterm birth and low birth weight should be analyzed together, not separately. Using a copula-based model, the authors reveal strong joint risks and clear geographic and maternal factors that shape them.
Better tools, better targeting.
tinyurl.com/bp5ypwzk
Better tools, better targeting.
tinyurl.com/bp5ypwzk
December 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A new study shows why preterm birth and low birth weight should be analyzed together, not separately. Using a copula-based model, the authors reveal strong joint risks and clear geographic and maternal factors that shape them.
Better tools, better targeting.
tinyurl.com/bp5ypwzk
Better tools, better targeting.
tinyurl.com/bp5ypwzk
In-utero exposure to COVID medical-procedure delay orders raised the likelihood of an adverse birth-outcome diagnosis by 13% (from a 6% baseline) and pushed prenatal care toward telehealth.
Delaying “non-urgent” pregnancy care has real costs.
tinyurl.com/5rtuy5y7
Delaying “non-urgent” pregnancy care has real costs.
tinyurl.com/5rtuy5y7
December 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
In-utero exposure to COVID medical-procedure delay orders raised the likelihood of an adverse birth-outcome diagnosis by 13% (from a 6% baseline) and pushed prenatal care toward telehealth.
Delaying “non-urgent” pregnancy care has real costs.
tinyurl.com/5rtuy5y7
Delaying “non-urgent” pregnancy care has real costs.
tinyurl.com/5rtuy5y7
China’s 2006 campaign against a major parasitic infection dramatically improved more than health. Children exposed in utero later had fewer outpatient visits, better nutrition, and stronger school outcomes.
Fighting neglected diseases builds human capital.
tinyurl.com/ycx3r45f
Fighting neglected diseases builds human capital.
tinyurl.com/ycx3r45f
December 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
China’s 2006 campaign against a major parasitic infection dramatically improved more than health. Children exposed in utero later had fewer outpatient visits, better nutrition, and stronger school outcomes.
Fighting neglected diseases builds human capital.
tinyurl.com/ycx3r45f
Fighting neglected diseases builds human capital.
tinyurl.com/ycx3r45f
5/
The catch: scale improves total appointment capacity, but not necessarily speed.
Larger practices generate more care, yet the share of “timely” appointments falls slightly as size increases.
Bottom line: scale expands access, but doesn’t solve waits.
The catch: scale improves total appointment capacity, but not necessarily speed.
Larger practices generate more care, yet the share of “timely” appointments falls slightly as size increases.
Bottom line: scale expands access, but doesn’t solve waits.
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
5/
The catch: scale improves total appointment capacity, but not necessarily speed.
Larger practices generate more care, yet the share of “timely” appointments falls slightly as size increases.
Bottom line: scale expands access, but doesn’t solve waits.
The catch: scale improves total appointment capacity, but not necessarily speed.
Larger practices generate more care, yet the share of “timely” appointments falls slightly as size increases.
Bottom line: scale expands access, but doesn’t solve waits.
4/
Skill-mix matters too. Cost-optimal staffing ratios require more nurses and DPC staff than practices currently employ. Nurses in particular deliver high appointment volumes at relatively low cost.
Small practices simply can’t unlock this productivity.
Skill-mix matters too. Cost-optimal staffing ratios require more nurses and DPC staff than practices currently employ. Nurses in particular deliver high appointment volumes at relatively low cost.
Small practices simply can’t unlock this productivity.
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
4/
Skill-mix matters too. Cost-optimal staffing ratios require more nurses and DPC staff than practices currently employ. Nurses in particular deliver high appointment volumes at relatively low cost.
Small practices simply can’t unlock this productivity.
Skill-mix matters too. Cost-optimal staffing ratios require more nurses and DPC staff than practices currently employ. Nurses in particular deliver high appointment volumes at relatively low cost.
Small practices simply can’t unlock this productivity.
3/
And the productivity advantage grows with size.
Across outputs (total appointments, GP slots, timely 2-day access), marginal returns rise sharply at the 75th percentile of practice size.
Scale isn’t just about volume; it amplifies each added worker’s impact.
And the productivity advantage grows with size.
Across outputs (total appointments, GP slots, timely 2-day access), marginal returns rise sharply at the 75th percentile of practice size.
Scale isn’t just about volume; it amplifies each added worker’s impact.
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
3/
And the productivity advantage grows with size.
Across outputs (total appointments, GP slots, timely 2-day access), marginal returns rise sharply at the 75th percentile of practice size.
Scale isn’t just about volume; it amplifies each added worker’s impact.
And the productivity advantage grows with size.
Across outputs (total appointments, GP slots, timely 2-day access), marginal returns rise sharply at the 75th percentile of practice size.
Scale isn’t just about volume; it amplifies each added worker’s impact.
2/
The study models how practices convert staff into appointments. The punchline: bigger practices squeeze more appointments out of every additional clinician.
At median admin staffing, 1 extra GP → +223 appointments/month. 1 extra nurse/DPC → +152.
The study models how practices convert staff into appointments. The punchline: bigger practices squeeze more appointments out of every additional clinician.
At median admin staffing, 1 extra GP → +223 appointments/month. 1 extra nurse/DPC → +152.
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
2/
The study models how practices convert staff into appointments. The punchline: bigger practices squeeze more appointments out of every additional clinician.
At median admin staffing, 1 extra GP → +223 appointments/month. 1 extra nurse/DPC → +152.
The study models how practices convert staff into appointments. The punchline: bigger practices squeeze more appointments out of every additional clinician.
At median admin staffing, 1 extra GP → +223 appointments/month. 1 extra nurse/DPC → +152.
1/
Primary care is drowning in demand. Policymakers keep pushing “scale” as the fix. But does scaling up actually produce more care? New evidence from 6,149 GP practices in England gives a rare, data-driven answer. tinyurl.com/mpbmvbd2
🧵 👇
Primary care is drowning in demand. Policymakers keep pushing “scale” as the fix. But does scaling up actually produce more care? New evidence from 6,149 GP practices in England gives a rare, data-driven answer. tinyurl.com/mpbmvbd2
🧵 👇
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
1/
Primary care is drowning in demand. Policymakers keep pushing “scale” as the fix. But does scaling up actually produce more care? New evidence from 6,149 GP practices in England gives a rare, data-driven answer. tinyurl.com/mpbmvbd2
🧵 👇
Primary care is drowning in demand. Policymakers keep pushing “scale” as the fix. But does scaling up actually produce more care? New evidence from 6,149 GP practices in England gives a rare, data-driven answer. tinyurl.com/mpbmvbd2
🧵 👇
New evidence from Germany shows that income matters more for well-being when people are sick. The marginal utility of income rises in sickness, implying insurance is more valuable than standard models assume. Sickness has a real “fixed cost.”
Income–Well‐Being Gradient in Sickness and Health
We propose a method for studying the value of insurance. For this purpose, we analyze the well-being of the same individuals, comparing sick and healthy years, using German panel survey data on life…
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
New evidence from Germany shows that income matters more for well-being when people are sick. The marginal utility of income rises in sickness, implying insurance is more valuable than standard models assume. Sickness has a real “fixed cost.”
Argentina’s zero-tolerance drunk-driving laws didn’t deliver. A new study finds no drop in traffic deaths and higher injury rates after adoption, with little change in drinking behavior. Tough rules didn’t shift the risks that matter.
Policy intent ≠ policy impact. tinyurl.com/7dkxbbw9
Policy intent ≠ policy impact. tinyurl.com/7dkxbbw9
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Argentina’s zero-tolerance drunk-driving laws didn’t deliver. A new study finds no drop in traffic deaths and higher injury rates after adoption, with little change in drinking behavior. Tough rules didn’t shift the risks that matter.
Policy intent ≠ policy impact. tinyurl.com/7dkxbbw9
Policy intent ≠ policy impact. tinyurl.com/7dkxbbw9
Most health studies model doctor and non-doctor visits separately. This paper shows why that misses the point: the two are tightly linked, driven by shared behaviors and unobserved traits.
Joint modeling reveals who actually uses care—and how.
👉 tinyurl.com/5e7zanfu
Joint modeling reveals who actually uses care—and how.
👉 tinyurl.com/5e7zanfu
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Most health studies model doctor and non-doctor visits separately. This paper shows why that misses the point: the two are tightly linked, driven by shared behaviors and unobserved traits.
Joint modeling reveals who actually uses care—and how.
👉 tinyurl.com/5e7zanfu
Joint modeling reveals who actually uses care—and how.
👉 tinyurl.com/5e7zanfu
New US claims data show a sharp ⬇️ in children’s asthma medication adherence during COVID — especially among the youngest children.
Evidence points to parental attention as a key driver. Mail-order refills softened the decline.
tinyurl.com/2mv5a85d
Evidence points to parental attention as a key driver. Mail-order refills softened the decline.
tinyurl.com/2mv5a85d
November 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
New US claims data show a sharp ⬇️ in children’s asthma medication adherence during COVID — especially among the youngest children.
Evidence points to parental attention as a key driver. Mail-order refills softened the decline.
tinyurl.com/2mv5a85d
Evidence points to parental attention as a key driver. Mail-order refills softened the decline.
tinyurl.com/2mv5a85d