Advancing health through economic insight
About us
The Economics of Population Health (EPH) Research Centre conducts research into the economics of health and disease. We were founded in 1996 as the Health Economics Research Centre (HERC), and we rebranded as EPH in April 2026 to reflect a new emphasis and wider scope of research.
Our overall aim is to develop an imaginative, innovative, and influential programme of research and teaching on the economics of population health. Over the past 30 years, we have established a strong national and international reputation as a centre of excellence in health economics research and teaching.
We are involved in a wide range of methodological and applied research projects. Our current work covers a range of different research themes and a variety of diseases. We collaborate with other teams of health economists, clinical groups, policymakers, and statisticians around the world.
Going forward, we will continue to reflect the strategic focus of the department – to improve health by undertaking research that promotes physical health, cognitive health, and social functioning throughout the lifespan. We are interested in major risk factors and causes of disability and death, and in building on the department’s strengths in large-scale, streamlined randomised evaluation.
We will create reliable evidence on effective and cost-effective forms of prevention and treatment. This may also include economic valuation of non-health benefits such as employment, or assessments of the returns on investment within the health system such as spending on diabetes care.
Oxford Population Health is home to some of the largest and most detailed observational epidemiological studies, such as the Million Women Study, and these are rich health data resources that will transform our understanding of the economics of population health.
Contact us
EPH Research Centre
Oxford Population Health
Richard Doll Building,
Old Road Campus,
Oxford, OX3 7LF
Email us
Telephone: +44(0)1865 289272 / 3
Our achievements
These are a few of our achievements. We
- Demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of an online treatment for childhood anxiety
- Provided the first national picture of healthcare costs linked to children’s weight
- Demonstrated that statins are a cost-effective way of reducing heart disease and stroke in older adults and in a wider group of people than previously thought
- Supported the successful translation of whole genome sequencing for cancer, rare diseases, and tuberculosis into the NHS.
Short courses
Since our formation, we have been a trusted destination for thousands of health economists, professionals, and students seeking to expand their expertise. We offer a diverse range of online and in‑person programmes, all led by senior researchers who bring a wealth of experience to the classroom.
Integrating Economic Evaluation into Clinical Trials
A course for those designing or running clinical trials who want to add health economic perspectives. It suits investigators, trial managers and research staff, with clear explanations for non‑economists.
28 – 29 April 2026
Applied Methods of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
The course is for those conducting or interpreting cost‑effectiveness analysis in healthcare, including researchers and decision makers across public, commercial and academic sectors worldwide.
1 – 5 June 2026
Introduction to Health Economic Evaluation
A course for health professionals and researchers wanting to understand basic economics of population health and its relevance to the health service. No prior economics knowledge is needed.
22 – 23 September 2026
Research themes
Genomics and economics
We elucidate the economic implications of genomic technologies and evaluate interventions that incorporate genomic information into healthcare decision-making.
Health behaviours, preference and value
Our choice modelling research spans clinical applications, such as genomic testing, clinical trial participation, and prescribing behaviours.
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and economic evaluation
We assess the cost-effectiveness of drugs, devices, procedures, diagnostic methods, screening practices, and healthcare delivery routes to assess whether the benefits of an intervention justify the cost.
Income and health inequalities
We measure health inequalities to help identify potential interventions or policy levers and reduce gaps in access to healthcare.
Mental health
Our researchers seek to understand the socioeconomic risk factors of mental health disorders early in life, and quantify the costs of their long-term adverse consequences.