UL professor to lead €1.5M research programme on economics of personalised health

Leading Health Economist, John Forbes, has been appointed as Professor of Health Economics at the University of Limerick. His appointment has been supported by the Health Research Board (HRB). Professor Forbes becomes one of the first HRB Research Leaders and he will lead a €1.5 million programme of research into the economics of personalised health.

John Forbes, Professor of Health Economics at the University of Limerick

Professor Forbes explains the significance of an economic perspective on personalised health; “Advances in science have increased the prospect of diagnosing, treating and preventing illness in a more personal way. Improved understanding of how individuals may benefit from tailored therapies will permit a better match and more informed choice by users and health care professionals. Opportunities to design and deliver better services that are sensitive to the needs of particular groups are widespread.”

“This research programme will develop and apply better ways of assessing the health and economic consequences of new and existing health technologies where personalised care is feasible and desirable. The economic and health issues are genuine and deserve the application of modern methods used by economists to determine ways of improving health and welfare in Ireland. This research will aim to strengthen public interest in personalised health so that the positive effects of investing in these innovative approaches will be shared more wisely and fairly for everyone.”

According to Enda Connolly, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board; “Personalised medicine is an emerging field which shows great potential, but patients, health professionals and policy makers need to be able to weigh up the costs and benefits of participating in such interventions. Our investment in Professor Forbes work programme will help provide reliable evidence to underpin decision making around personalised medicine. Given the shortage of health economists globally engaged in this area, the appointment of Prof Forbes as a HRB Research Leader in Ireland is a significant development.”

Dr Mary Shire the Vice President Research at UL welcomed the announcement “Now more than every as a society we appreciate the need for, but also the costs of, the provision of innovative health technologies. Professor Forbes brings a very relevant skill set that will enhance our understanding of the economics of making these innovate and potentially lifesaving technologies available to patients. His appointment will support the Universities commitment to enhancing the health service provision in Ireland.”

Professor Michael Larvin, Head of the Graduate Entry Medical School, UL welcomed Professor John Forbes’ appointment; “Health Economics has recently taken on greater importance, given the rising trend towards more effective personalised healthcare as well as the planned reorganisation of Irish health services. I am certain that Professor Forbes will make a tremendous contribution to health service research across UL and our HSE partners, as well as more widely. We are extremely fortunate to have attracted a researcher of such calibre and experience to the University.”

Dr Philip O’Regan, Dean, Kemmy Business School, UL is delighted that Professor Forbes is being recognised with a HRB Leaders Research Award. “His work reflects the synergies that exist between education and health sciences and business in the health economics area and his success contributes to the university’s overall research strategy in an area of key national and international significance”.