To meet the demands of a growing ageing population, the Economics of ageing and dementia research stream at Deakin Health Economics undertakes a broad program of economics research with the aim to improve the quality of life and care for older adults and their informal carers.
We work closely together with our collaborators in delivering high quality evidence to inform health and aged care system change. Our research spans from economic evaluation, to outcome measurement research, to health services research, including the application of stated preferences methods to value non-market goods and services, such as informal care.
Our Economics of ageing and dementia research stream leader is Dr Lidia Engel.
Email: lidia.engel@deakin.edu.au
We undertake both trial-based and model-based economic evaluations to inform the process of shifting resources to where they are most efficiently allocated. We have expertise in determining the appropriate economic evaluation design, including the identification of costs and outcomes suitable to the study population and the intervention under consideration. Our line of research spans from full economic evaluation to partial economic evaluation, such as cost analysis, as well as return on investment studies. In establishing evidence around the economic credentials of interventions in older adults, we apply most up-to-date research practices and standards.
Current projects:
Previous projects:
We specialise in outcome measurement research, including the psychometric assessment of existing outcome measures to inform the choice of measure(s) for use in economic evaluation. This program of research is essential to ensure that the potential benefits of a specific intervention are captured by the respective outcome measure and fit for purpose for the targeted population group.
Current projects:
We also undertake a broad range of research whereby we evaluate the healthcare use, costs and the disease burden (for example, quality of life losses) in older adults.
Current projects:
Using stated-preferences research methods, we also conduct research in determining the value of non-market goods and services. For example, we’re currently undertaking a discrete-choice experiment to estimate the value of informal care provided to people living with dementia. This information will ultimately improve policy advice that utilises cost-effectiveness information and will facilitate the inclusion of the time costs of informal care in future economic evaluations of health care interventions.
Current projects:
Staff of the Economics of ageing and dementia research stream include:
Deakin Health Economics Director
Professor Cathy Mihalopoulos
Level D:
Associate Professor
Jennifer Watts
Level B:
Research Fellow
Dr Lidia Engel
HDR student:
Ishani Majmudar
PhD thesis: The Economics of Loneliness and Social Isolation and an Ageing Population in Australia
Click on each staff member’s name for a full list of outputs related to this stream.
