The Big Questions in Forced Migration and Health: Cost and Financing of Health Services: Economic Analysis of Displaced Populations
Donald S. ShepardFunder: World Bank / Columbia University
Brandeis is a subcontractor to Columbia University on this project sponsored by the World Bank. This study’s aim is to develop tools that will better allow the international community to respond to global crises leading to forced migration. This includes both refugees as well as internally displaced people who are forced to leave their homes to save their lives. Brandeis, working with Georgetown University, will examine the cost and financing of health services for the migrating population. It will compare their needs and services to those of the host population. Donald Shepard is Brandeis PI with Diana Bowser as Co-Investigator.
Economic and Disease Burden of Dengue in Thailand: A Pilot Cohort Study in Tak Province
Donald S. Shepard, Wu Zeng, Eduardo Unduraga
Funder: Takeda Pharmaceuticals
This study will use structured questionnaires to assess the quality of life during both acute and persistent phases of dengue episodes, as well as related health-seeking behavior, expenditures, and direct and indirect costs associated with a dengue episode in Tak Province, Thailand. These include dengue’s impact on presenteeism, the loss of productivity at work due to illness, which has not been previously studied. Another distinctive feature of this study are plans for follow up interviews extending up to six months from the original onset. This component recognizes that while dengue is primarily an acute illness, in some patients it can have chronic complications, such as fatigue or depression.
Economic Evaluation of Wolbachia Deployments in the Western Pacific
Donald S. ShepardFunder: Monash University
The objectives for this economic analysis are to estimate the cost of dengue in Fiji and Vanuatu from available disease surveillance data and other information. This study will adjust for known reporting gaps, and describe the cost of dengue illness and Wolbachia deployment in and around Suva, Fiji, and Port Vila, Vanuatu using financial and operational data from the World Mosquito Program. This study will conduct a benefit-cost analysis of Wolbachia deployments with a 20-year time frame.
The results of this study will inform the sponsor and regional governments on the projected economic benefits on their investment, an estimate of the expected health and economic benefits of Wolbachia deployments, and contribute to the World Mosquito Program’s portfolio of evidence supporting the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Wolbachia method as a public health intervention.