Pre-Congress Sessions
Beijing, China | July 11, 2009
Implementing Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Services in China: Funding and Access Challenges
An iHEA pre-congress session
Date: July 11, 2009
Venue: Beijing International Convention Center
China is both the largest producer and consumer of tobacco in the world. Home of 20% of the world’s population, China consumes 30% of the global tobacco products. There are nearly 300 million smokers in China, which is a quarter of the smokers in the world. There is no doubt that smoking has negative impact on the Chinese public health; however, the provision, delivery and access of smoking cessation services in China remains challenging.
We propose a panel session aimed to discuss the economic and disease burden of smoking in China, and further discuss and debate how smoking cessation services should be managed and delivered in China. Moreover, discuss and debate the potential public health policy solutions addressing the challenges of funding and access.
More information [PDF]
Bayesian Approaches to Evidence Synthesis & Decision Modelling
An iHEA pre-congress course
Date: July 11, 2009
Venue: Beijing International Convention Center
This course introduces the use of Bayesian methods in evidence synthesis (including meta-analysis) and decision modelling. It allows participants to gain hands on experience using such modelling techniques within the freely available WinBUGS software package.
Topics covered in the course include: Introduction to Bayesian methods & WinBUGS; Bayesian fixed & random effects meta-analysis models; Exploring heterogeneity & adjusting for baseline risk; Indirect and mixed treatment comparisons; Integration of evidence synthesis methods within economic decision models.
Each topic will be introduced via an expository lecture, followed a hands-on computer practical session. See PDF for prerequisites and additional information.
More information [PDF]
The role of the private sector in health
An iHEA pre-congress symposium
Date: July 11, 2009
Time: 8.30-16.00
Venue: Beijing International Convention Center
This one-day symposium is envisaged as a dialogue between researchers interested in the private sector, and between researchers and policymakers, with the overall aim of mapping out what is already known, and where research priorities lie based on policy needs; and promoting greater research interest and knowledge generation in this area for the benefit of health systems development.
Invitation & More information [PDF]
Draft Schedule [PDF]
Elements of Health System Finance
An iHEA pre-congress symposium
Date: July 11, 2009
Venue: Beijing International Convention Center
Course overview: The course introduces the elements of health system finance: fundraising, fund-allocation, paying medical personnel, and reimbursing clinics and hospitals. It explores policy options available for every element, emphasizing the public-private mix in each, and how these options can affect the multiple goals of the health system: health, equity, macro- and micro- economic efficiencies, and client satisfaction. The conceptual discussion is enriched with relevant examples and experiences from different health systems.
Course Faculty:
Dov Chernichovsky is a professor of health economics and policy in the Department of Health Systems Management at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. He heads the Health Team at the Taub Centre for Social Policy Studies in Israel, and is a Research Associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He was on staff at the World Bank, and has consulted for this organization. Dov served as the health system adviser to the Israeli parliament, and played a key role in the reform of the Israeli health care system.
Abdo Yazbeck is the health sector Manager for the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Region. He was a Lead Health Economist and the Program Leader of the Health and AIDS Team at the World Bank Institute from October 2002 till June 2008. He previously worked for 6 years in the South Asia operations unit at the World Bank, for 3 year as a Senior Health Economist at Abt Associates, for one year on the 1993 World Development Report: investing in Health, and lectured at Rice University and Texas A&M University from 1988 to 1992.
Li Ling is an economics professor of the China Centre for Economic Research (CCER) at Peking University, China. She received her Ph.D. in economics in 1994 and M.A. in economics in 1990 from the University of Pittsburgh, and holds a B.S. in Physics from Wuhan University, China. Ling li serves as a senior advisor for the Minister of Health of China, Beijing Municipal Government and Guangdong Municipal Government, Director of the Fourth Council of the Gerontological Society of China and Consultant for China Health Care Reform.
Learning Objectives: The course aims to advance the policy-making and program design skills of the delegates by helping them to (a) understand and articulate the multiple dimensions of the concept “health system finance”, (b) deal systematically with the relevant policy and options, and (c) share experiences while using precise concepts and terminology.
Expected Audience: The course is designed for policy-oriented delegates of varied backgrounds who deal with health-system design and programs who wish to improve their comprehension of the issues associated with healthcare system finance.
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