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Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (7 July 2024) | Viewed by 22318

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ling Gao

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Guest Editor

Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Interests: health economics

Dr. Senhu Wang

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Guest Editor

Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore
Interests: sociology of work; health and wellbeing; demography
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed that the development of health economics and governance has become a core issue in countries around the world. In this regard, the share of health expenditure in national income is increasing. The financing methods of these expenditures, including health care financing, health insurance, and government deficits, are all research hotspots. This Special Issue focuses on macro- and microeconomics related to the health economy, as well as health economic evaluation, health service research, and health policy analysis. Relevant research topics are the personal and institutional aspects of health care management and the growing importance of health care in developing countries.

Dr. Ling Gao
Dr. Senhu Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

COVID-19
macro- and/or microeconomics of healthcare financing
socio-economic health impact policies in developing countries
COVID-19 economic response plan
cost–benefit analysis (HTA)
political economy of public health
health service research
health governance
health policy analysis
cost-effectiveness of healthcare
allocation of financial resources
health inequality
sociological empirical research

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Organization of Public Health Systems on the Ability of Countries to Resist the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of Developed Countries of the World and Ukraine

by Aleksandra Kuzior, Tetiana Vasylieva, Olga Liuta, Olha Deineka and Mariia Kashcha

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126106 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2058

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the presence of functional interrelationships between the level of funding of the healthcare sector and the country’s ability to withstand any pandemic, using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic. Official indicators presented by the WHO, analytical reports by Numbeo (the world’s largest cost-of-living database), and the Global Health Security Index were used for the study. Using these indicators, the authors analyzed the following: the level of the spread of coronavirus infections in the world’s countries, the share of public expenditures on the development of the medical sphere in the GDP of the countries, and the development of the healthcare sector in 12 developed countries and Ukraine. These countries were grouped into three groups, based on the model of the organization of the healthcare sector (Beveridge model, Bismark model, Market (private) model). The Farrar–Glauber method was used to check for multicollinearity in the input dataset, and thirteen relevant indicators were selected. These indicators took part in the formation of the generalized characteristics of the country’s medical sphere and the ability to resist the pandemic. The state of readiness of countries to resist the spread of coronavirus infections was assessed using the country’s index of vulnerability to COVID-19 and the integral index of the development of medicine. Additive convolution was used in combination with sigma-limited parameterization to form an integral index of the country’s vulnerability to COVID-19 and to determine the weights of each indicator. The convolution of indicators according to the Kolmogorov–Gabor polynomial was used to construct an integral index of the development of medicine. Thus, while analyzing the ability of countries to resist the pandemic in terms of models of organization of the healthcare sector, it should be noted that none of the models demonstrated absolute effectiveness in the fight against the mass spread of COVID-19. The calculations made it possible to determine the nature of the relationship between the integral indices of the development of medicine and the vulnerability of countries to COVID-19, as well as a country’s potential ability to resist any pandemic and prevent the mass spread of infectious diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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18 pages, 574 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Government as a Facilitator versus Inhibitor of Social Entrepreneurship in Times of Public Health Emergencies

by Shah Muhammad Kamran, Abdelmohsen A. Nassani, Muhammad Moinuddin Qazi Abro, Mahvish Kanwal Khaskhely and Mohamed Haffar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065071 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1890

Abstract

COVID-19 established the need for even more social entrepreneurship globally. It is important for keeping society together in times of crises because it creates an environment that improves the quality of life during hard times and public health emergencies such as COVID-19. Even though it plays a unique role in returning things back to normal after a crisis, it faces opposition from many parts of society, especially the government. Still, there are not many studies that look at what the government should do to help or stop social enterprise during public health emergencies. That is why the goal of this study was to find out how the government has helped or hindered social entrepreneurs. Content analysis was conducted on the carefully mined data from the internet. The research found that regulations for social enterprises should be loosened, especially during and after pandemics and disasters. This could also make it easier to accomplish things in the government. It was also found that, in addition to financial help, capacity building through training can help social enterprises do more and make a bigger difference. This research provides broader guidelines for policymakers and new entrants in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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12 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cost–Benefit of Real-Time Multiplex PCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2 in German Hospitals

by Roland Diel and Albert Nienhaus

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043447 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2598

Abstract

Background: The current Omicron COVID-19 pandemic has significant morbidity worldwide. Objective: Assess the cost–benefit relation of implementing PCR point-of-care (POCT) COVID-19 testing in the emergency rooms (ERs) of German hospitals and in the case of inpatient admission due to other acute illnesses. Methods: A deterministic decision-analytic model simulated the incremental costs of using the Savanna^® Multiplex RT-PCR test compared to using clinical judgement alone to confirm or exclude COVID-19 in adult patients in German ERs prior to hospitalization or just prior to discharge. Direct and indirect costs were evaluated from the hospital perspective. Nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs of patients suspected to have COVID-19 by clinical judgement, but without POCT, were sent to external labs for RT-PCR testing. Results: In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, assuming a COVID-19 prevalence ranging between 15.6–41.2% and a hospitalization rate between 4.3–64.3%, implementing the Savanna^® test saved, on average, €107 as compared to applying the clinical-judgement-only strategy. A revenue loss of €735 can be avoided when SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients coming unplanned to the hospital due to other acute illnesses are excluded immediately by POCT. Conclusions: Using highly sensitive and specific PCR-POCT in patients suspected of COVID-19 infection at German ERs may significantly reduce hospital expenditures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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15 pages, 2850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Institutional Network Relationship of Chinese Public Crisis Governance System—Based on the Quantitative Comparative Analysis of Policies during SARS and COVID-19

by Jian Yang and Weikun Huang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215100 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1597

Abstract

After experiencing many public crisis events, such as SARS in 2003 and COVID-19 in 2020, the Chinese public crisis governance system has been improved from its initial state. The distribution structure and cooperation network among various government departments in China have become more complex. How to accurately clarify the relationship between the various departments in the existing governance system has become an important issue of the Chinese public crisis governance system. Based on the perspective of networked research, this article examines the network relationship between institutions in the Chinese public crisis governance system from the two dimensions of network centrality and network density. Using the bibliometric method to use public policies released in 2003 and 2020 as data samples and the two large-scale institutional reforms in 2003 and 2018 as the time nodes, this paper conducts a comparative analysis of the institutional network relationship of the Chinese public crisis governance system during different periods. The research shows that the network relationship among institutions in the Chinese public crisis governance system has changed from a centralized type to a diverse type; there is a trend of expansion in network relations; the legalization of governance networks is strengthened and the core of the network is transformed into the direct leadership of the Party Committee; and the overall network structure is experiencing a rational evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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15 pages, 1802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Nucleic Acid Screening Measures on COVID-19 Transmission in Cities of Different Scales and Assessment of Related Testing Resource Demands—Evidence from China

by Qian Gao, Wen-Peng Shang and Ming-Xia Jing

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013343 - 16 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1844

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is in its epidemic period, and China is still facing the dual risks of import and domestic rebound. To better control the COVID-19 pandemic under the existing conditions, the focus of this study is to simulate the nucleic acid testing for different population size cities in China to influence the spread of COVID-19, assess the situation under different scenarios, the demand for the laboratory testing personnel, material resources, for the implementation of the nucleic acid screening measures, emergency supplies, and the configuration of human resources to provide decision-making basis. Methods: According to the transmission characteristics of COVID-19 and the current prevention and control strategies in China, four epidemic scenarios were assumed. Based on the constructed SVEAI_iQHR model, the number of people infected with COVID-19 in cities with populations of 10 million, 5 million, and 500,000 was analyzed and predicted under the four scenarios, and the demand for laboratory testing resources was evaluated, respectively. Results: For large, medium, and small cities, whether full or regional nucleic acid screening can significantly reduce the epidemic prevention and control strategy of different scenarios laboratory testing resource demand difference is bigger, implement effective non-pharmaceutical interventions and regional nucleic acid screening measures to significantly reduce laboratory testing related resources demand, but will cause varying degrees of inspection staff shortages. Conclusion: There is still an urgent need for laboratory testing manpower in China to implement effective nucleic acid screening measures in the event of an outbreak. Cities or regions with different population sizes and levels of medical resources should flexibly implement prevention and control measures according to specific conditions after the outbreak, assess laboratory testing and human resource need as soon as possible, and prepare and allocate materials and personnel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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21 pages, 907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Lockdown Effects on the Economy, Environment, and COVID-19 Spread: Lesson Learnt from a Global Pandemic in 2020

by Woraphon Yamaka, Siritaya Lomwanawong, Darin Magel and Paravee Maneejuk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12868; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912868 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2281

Abstract

Lockdown policies have been implemented to reduce COVID-19 transmission worldwide. However, the shutdown of activities has resulted in large economic losses, and it has been widely reported that lockdown measures have resulted in improved air quality. Therefore, many previous studies have attempted to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19-induced lockdowns on the economy, environment, and COVID-19 spread. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity among countries worldwide in the economic, environmental, and public health aspects and the spatial effects of decomposition have not been well investigated in the existing related literature. In this study, based on the cross-sectional data of 158 countries in 2020 and the proposed nonlinear simultaneous spatial econometric models, we investigate the nonlinear and spatial impacts of the COVID-19-induced lockdowns on the economy, environment, and COVID-19 spread. The findings show that lockdowns have had statistically significant negative economic impacts and beneficial environmental consequences but no effect on COVID-19 spread. Noteworthily, this study also found the length of lockdown periods to affect the three domains of interest differently, with a piece of empirical evidence that the imposition of lockdowns for more than 31 days a year could result in economic impairments but contribute to environmental improvements. Lockdowns were shown to have substantially reduced PM2.5 not only in the countries that imposed the measures but also indirectly in the neighboring countries as a spatial spillover effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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12 pages, 1441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Volunteering Buffer the Negative Impacts of Unemployment and Economic Inactivity on Mental Health? Longitudinal Evidence from the United Kingdom

by Senhu Wang, Wanying Ling, Zhuofei Lu, Yuewei Wei, Min Li and Ling Gao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116809 - 2 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2679

Abstract

Previous research suggests that volunteering can mitigate the negative mental health impacts of unemployment but has yielded mixed results. This study extends the previous literature by examining whether volunteering can buffer the negative impacts of both unemployment and economic inactivity on mental health. Using nationally representative panel data from the United Kingdom Longitudinal Household Study (2010–2020) and fixed effects models, this study yields three important findings: First, volunteering cannot mitigate the adverse effects of unemployment, regardless of gender. Second, frequent volunteering (at least once per month) can benefit the mental health of economically inactive groups (e.g., family care and long-term sickness). Third, the study reveals the gendered patterns of the impacts of volunteering. Specifically, frequent volunteering can buffer the negative impacts of family care or long-term sickness for men, and the negative impacts of unpaid work for women. Overall, these findings contribute towards a more nuanced understanding of the buffering role of volunteering and its gendered patterns. Policymakers should offer more volunteering opportunities and training to these economically inactive groups to reduce their risk of mental issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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16 pages, 9479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Public Interest, Risk, Trust, and Personal Protective Equipment Purchase and Usage: Face Masks Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Jie Feng, Jian Li, Wuyang Hu and Gucheng Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095502 - 1 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2231

Abstract

This analysis considers public interest in COVID-19-related issues as well as individuals’ risk perception and trust in society in their demand for face masks during the pandemic. Through a national survey, we examine demand during both the outbreak and the recovery stage of the pandemic and differentiate demand into purchasing and usage. The examination allows us to observe the evolvement of demand over time and stockpiling. We find that public interest and risk perception had a more significant association with mask demand during the outbreak stage, and trust was more connected with mask demand during the recovery stage. While stocking was evident in both stages, consumers were much less price sensitive in the outbreak stage. Overall, the relationship between most factors and mask demand was smaller in the recovery stage. Our research is useful for policymakers to assess the creation and termination of temporary legislation to help manage the value chain of personal protective equipment during a major public health crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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14 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Willingness to the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots among Urban Employees: Evidence from a Megacity H in Eastern China

by Tianzhen Hu, Li Li, Chuanxue Lin, Zikun Yang, Cheng Chow, Zhipeng Lu and Chen You

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042300 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3621

Abstract

Many studies have shown that urban workers may have a higher acceptance rate of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine uptake compared to their rural counterparts. As Omicron spreads globally, the COVID-19 booster vaccination has been acknowledged as the primary strategy against this variant. In this study, we identify factors related to the willingness of workers in megacities to take the vaccine booster shots and their main reasons accounting for their booster willingness. This research survey was conducted in megacity H in eastern China, and a total of 1227 employees from different industries were interviewed. The study at hand examines the relationship between various characteristics (including both economic and non-economic factors) of urban employees and their intention/desire to accept the COVID-19 booster shoots. The survey results show that some characteristics, namely work organization, vaccine knowledge, and social network, affect their intention to take COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Urban employees with a strong work organization, a high degree of vaccine knowledge, and a dense social capital are more likely to receive booster injections than other employees. Therefore, work organization, vaccine knowledge, and social networks provide fundamental entry points for designing enhanced injection strategies to increase the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among employees in megacities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Economics and Health Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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