From Evidence to Action: Building Health Economics Capacity for Policy Impact

On 26–27 March 2026, the MAEMOD Department hosted a two-day Health Economics Workshop at the 60th Anniversary Chalermprakiat Building, bringing together researchers from MORU and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM).

The workshop was designed with a clear objective: to strengthen the application of health economics in real-world policy decision-making.

Led by Assoc. Prof. Wirichada Pan-ngum, Chris Painter, and Phrutsamon Wongnak, the sessions focused on building practical understanding of cost-effectiveness analysis and health economic modelling. Dr. Maneerat Ekkapongpisit also led a session on patient journey mapping, helping participants connect clinical pathways with economic evaluation.

From Theory to Application

Rather than focusing solely on concepts, the workshop emphasized hands-on, project-based learning.

Participants worked directly on seven ongoing research projects, applying health economics tools to their own work. Through guided exercises, each group:

• Developed initial model frameworks

• Mapped patient pathways

• Identified key data inputs and assumptions

• Outlined next steps for advancing their analyses

This approach allowed participants to move beyond theory and begin translating their research into policy-relevant evidence.

Strengthening the Policy Interface

A key theme throughout the workshop was the role of health economics as a bridge between research and policy.

Generating evidence is not enough—what matters is whether that evidence can inform decisions. Cost-effectiveness analysis, when applied early and appropriately, can help ensure that research outputs are aligned with the needs of health systems and decision-makers.

This reflects a broader shift toward more policy-oriented research design, where considerations of impact, feasibility, and value are integrated from the outset.

Building Capacity for Translation

The workshop also highlighted the importance of capacity building as part of the translational pathway.

Developing the skills to conduct and interpret health economic analyses enables researchers to:

• Engage more effectively with policymakers

• Position their work within decision-making frameworks

• Increase the likelihood of adoption and scale

Equally important was the collaborative nature of the workshop—bringing together researchers across units to share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from each other’s work.

Looking Ahead

By the end of the two days, participants had not only developed initial models, but also clearer pathways for advancing their projects toward policy relevance.

The workshop reinforced a simple but important point:translation does not happen at the end of research—it must be built in from the beginning.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen translational research, initiatives like this play a critical role in equipping researchers with the tools, frameworks, and mindset needed to move from evidence to action.