HESG conference held at York

The Centre for Health Economics was pleased to host the 2011 Winter Health Economists Study Group (HESG) from January 5th to 7th. HESG exists to support and promote the work of health economists in the UK and abroad and the twice-annual conferences represent a valuable forum in which practising health economists of all levels of experience as well as policy makers and other end users of health economics research can come together and present and discuss new research. The University of York has a long history with HESG, with the organisation originally being created by economists at York and hosting conferences on several occasions - most recently in the summer of 2006. 

Now in its 39th year the conference has a distinctive style and feel which has persisted over time with an emphasis on quality over quantity and conducted in a study group atmosphere. 36 papers are presented over 3 days in parallel sessions and all papers are pre-circulated and discussed in hour-long sessions using discussants rather than author presentations. The range of papers reflects the current balance of work, with the largest categories being: economic evaluation; health measurement and determinants of health; and the performance and organisation of health care providers. 

With 80 abstract submissions covering empirical applications and methodological developments and over 120 registered participants representing universities from the UK and abroad (notably Scandinavia, USA and Singapore), policy makers (NHS, DoH) and the medical industry, the 2011 Winter HESG conference at York proved very popular and demonstrates the vibrancy of the field and the importance of HESG in developing the scientific and methodological foundations of health economics and putting academic ideas into practice. As with all HESG conferences, there was a strong presence of York health economists who greatly helped contribute towards the discussions, most of which could have gone beyond the hour time allocations and which ultimately led to a successful conference. 

The 2011 summer conference will be held in Bangor, Wales.