VicHealth researcher: Bruce Hollingsworth
“Who is obese? Why? And what economic behavioural changes and incentives will help stop the epidemic?”
Research Fellow Bruce Hollingsworth from Monash University is analysing the economic factors that influence an individual’s physical and mental health. The research will improve outcomes for people most at risk of suffering inequalities in health.
Contact Associate Professor Bruce Hollingsworth
Centre for Health Economics
Faculty of Business and Economics
Room 281, Building 75
Monash University
Clayton VIC 3800
Phone: +61 (03) 9905 0760
Website: http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/centres/che/
The focus of Bruce Hollingsworth’s research is on the determinants of individuals’ lifestyle, activities and the consequent impact on health. Economic factors, such as education and income, and lifestyle factors (eg smoking, drinking, exercising) are determinants of an individual’s level of physical and mental health, and consequently may be modifiable through interventions by Governmental bodies. Information on what actually does impact upon an individual’s health, over time, will inform public health and health promotion policy, allowing disadvantaged groups to be supported and targeted in order to achieve better health and wellbeing.
Bruce is Associate Professor in the Centre for Health Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, at Monash University, the leading centre in Australia and one of the largest in the world. He has over 100 publications, is frequently asked to speak at international conferences, and is lead investigator on two ARC Discovery grants, one looking at the economics of obesity, the other health production issues.
This research program will help the implementation of policy which targets those who need resources the most in society. Making use of large Victorian and national data sets, groups at most risk of suffering inequalities in health will be identified so that the right resources can be targeted at those who can benefit the most. One stream of research is being undertaken on obesity in Victoria. From an economic perspective, who is obese, why, and what economic behavioural changes and incentives at a macro and micro level may be appropriate to help stop this epidemic?
The VicHealth Fellowship allows this program in health economics to analyse socioeconomic determinants of health from a unique perspective. It will allow the building of capacity in a critical area where experienced researchers are scarce.