Abstract

Health economic evaluation is essential for evidence-informed health policy, supporting prioritization of high-value care and optimal resource use. This Perspective synthesizes experiences from the HTAsiaLink network and global literature to demonstrate its role across the technology lifecycle. Drawing on diverse country experiences, it highlights how these methods guide value-based, equitable, and sustainable decision-making amid rapid technological advances and resources constraints. Key challenges and opportunities are examined, such as integrating equity considerations, incorporation of environmental impacts, and adapting frameworks for novel technologies. Strengthening deliberative processes, building capacity, and adopting flexible methods are crucial to harnessing full potential of health economic evaluation.

Open access: Harnessing health economic evaluation for policy and practice | Communications Medicine

Citation
Teerawattananon, Y., Wang, Y., KC, S. et al. Harnessing health economic evaluation for policy and practice. Commun Med 6, 234 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-026-01585-8