Health economics research wins Royal accolade for York
Posted on 15 November 2007
The Royal accolade for the Centre for Health Economics (CHE), announced at St James’s Palace on Thursday 15 November, is the third to be conferred on the University in 11 years. Queen’s Anniversary Prizes were awarded to the University in 1996 for the excellence of its work in Computer Science, and in 2005 for the pioneering work of CNAP (Centre for Novel Agricultural Products) in Biology.
The award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a tremendous honour for the Centre, and is recognition of the way we have helped to shape the way society thinks about health and health care
Professor Peter C. Smith
Introduced following the 40th Anniversary of the Queen’s reign in 1992, the prizes rank alongside the Queen’s Awards for Industry. They are given biennially for "work of exceptional quality and of broad benefit either nationally or internationally."
CHE’s high quality research aims to promote scientific innovation as well as having a direct influence on health policy and practice. CHE adopts a broad interpretation of health economics, and its researchers have made major contributions in health status measurement, the organisation of primary care, health care financing, health technology assessment, medical decision-making, performance measurement, and the economics of addiction.
Founded in 1983, the Centre has close links with the University’s Departments of Health Sciences and Economics. With a staff of nearly 50, three-quarters of whom are researchers, it is one of the largest health economics units in the world.
CHE’s Director, Professor Peter C. Smith, said "The award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a tremendous honour for the Centre, and is recognition of the way we have helped to shape the way society thinks about health and health care. We believe that CHE has had an impact on many people’s lives by increasing access to worthwhile treatments, promoting fairer access to health care and improving the performance of health services."
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor said: "For a quarter of a century, the Centre has been at the forefront of applied research, teaching and policy applications of health economics. Its distinguished reputation both nationally and internationally is fully merited, and it has made an extraordinary contribution to the delivery of healthcare and the consequent health and wellbeing of people throughout the UK and the world. In doing so, it has contributed enormously to the University’s prestige and influence in the UK and the world."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The University of York is one of 20 winners in the seventh round of The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education. The winners were announced by the Founder and Chairman of the Royal Anniversary Trust, Robin Gill CVO, at St James’s Palace on 15 November 2007. www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk
- The Centre for Health Economics (CHE) is a research unit of the University of York. The Centre’s aim is to undertake high quality research that is capable of influencing health policy decisions. The Centre is one of the largest health economics research units in the world and its research is organised into seven broad themes.
- The University of York, founded in 1963, has over 11,500 students, 3,000 staff and more than 30 academic departments and research centres. From its inception, the University has concentrated on teaching and research of the highest quality. York is one of Britain’s leading research-intensive universities and was ranked 74th in the latest QS/THES World University Rankings. The University has ambitious plans for growth including plans for a 50 per cent increase in student numbers, and significant research expansion and spin-out activity.