It has been proposed that cross-country comparisons of the technical efficiency of health production, estimated using data envelopment analysis (DEA), have useful applications for policy makers. In theory such an analysis utilizes measures of the socioeconomic determinants of health relevant to...

type="main" <p>Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces enormous health challenges and information concerning how to allocate limited health resources efficiently is lacking. This article finds that geographical location is important in achieving higher efficiency scores. In addition, it compares efficiency...</p>

Objective To determine if obese patients have longer average length of stay once they are admitted to hospital, across a range of specialties. This contributes to measuring the impact of obesity on health care resource use. Data Sources/Study Setting Administrative hospital data are used for the...

Health inequalities are a fundamental policy issue. However despite various policy initiatives in this area inequality persists, and in fact may be on the increase. Effective policy requires an understanding of the causes of inequalities. Health economics has developed tools and theories...

Many developed countries are net recipients of skilled health professionals from developing countries. Potentially these movements provide major economic benefits to developed countries. The distribution of any benefits and any associated health and social costs, however, need investigation that...