Dictionary
The Dictionary provides concise definitions of health economics terms, arranged alphabetically for quick reference. Use it to understand unfamiliar terminology or confirm the meaning of a specific term.
A
- Applied Policy Evaluation
- A policy evaluation conducted to assess a specific, implemented health policy rather than as a general methodological exercise.
C
- Citizen Jury
- A public deliberation method convening randomly selected citizens to consider evidence on a health policy question, producing informed recommendations.
- Consumer Participation
- The involvement of patients, carers, and the public in assessment and health policy decision-making processes.
- Cvd Prevention Economics
- The application of health economic evaluation to cardiovascular disease prevention, spanning lifestyle programmes, preventive medication, and population health policy.
E
- Environmental Health Policy
- Government policy addressing health risks from environmental exposures, such as air pollution or contaminated water, covering regulatory standards and remediation.
- Ethical Review
- A formal evaluation of the ethical acceptability of a proposed research study or health policy, conducted by a dedicated committee.
H
- Health Governance
- The processes and structures through which decisions about health policy, resource allocation, and service delivery are made and held accountable.
- Health Policy
- Government or organisational decisions, plans, and actions intended to achieve specific health-related objectives, covering financing, regulation, and programming.
- Healthcare Policy
- A subset of health policy focused specifically on organising, financing, and regulating the healthcare delivery system, distinct from broader public health policy.
M
- Mental Health Policy
- Government or organisational policy governing the financing, delivery, and regulation of mental health services, covering insurance parity and community funding.
N
- Novel Policy Evaluation
- A policy evaluation employing an assessment method not previously applied to a given type of health policy.
O
- Occupational Health Policy
- Government or organisational policy addressing workplace health and safety risks, covering regulatory standards and workers' compensation programmes.
P
- Policy HTA Unit
- A function translating individual technology assessment findings into broader health policy, such as national treatment guidelines or resource allocation frameworks.
- Policy Option Assessment
- The systematic evaluation of alternative approaches to a health policy problem, comparing options across criteria such as cost and equity.
- Policy Revision
- A modification to an existing health policy to address shortcomings, incorporate new evidence, or adapt to changed circumstances.
- Pro-Poor Policy
- A health policy designed to benefit lower-income populations disproportionately, intended to reduce inequities by directing more resources their way.
- Public Health Policy
- Government policy aimed at protecting and improving population health as a whole, covering prevention, promotion, and infrastructure investment.
U
- Universal Health Coverage
- A health policy objective where all individuals have access to needed healthcare without suffering financial hardship, covering breadth and depth.