Center of Excellence for Health Economics - Chulalongkorn University

Dr Vasileios Zikos (a CHE member) has recently published a book with World Scientific Publishing, titled "Essential Mathematics for Economics".

The book is available now via the link below.

🎓 คณะเศรษฐศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย มีความยินดีที่จะแนะนำหนังสือ
The Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University is pleased to introduce the book. 📚

📖 "Essential Mathematics for Economics
A Student's Guide to Key Mathematical Techniques"

📍 ผู้เขียน | By
⭐️ Assoc. Prof.Vasileios Zikos, Ph.D.
📑 สำนักพิมพ์ | Published by
World Scientific Publishing

Description
The aim of this textbook is to improve students' ability to formulate economic problems and provide essential mathematical tools for analysis across various contexts. This book presents the author's current understanding of mathematics, shaped by several years of teaching this subject as well as enriched through interactions with his students. To aid students in their learning, the book is written in a manner that better highlights key concepts and provides additional clarity where possible. In this way, it is hoped that students will feel more guided in their study of mathematics and its applications in economics.

🔗 รายละเอียดเพิ่มเติม | The book is available now via the link: https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/14339 =aboutBook

#เศรษฐศาสตร์จุฬา #เศรษฐศาสตร์ #จุฬา

Dr. Chantal Herberholz (CHE Director)'s latest publication titled "Mental health and legal statuses along the path to citizenship: A qualitative study of minority ethnic urban dwellers in Chiang Mai, Thailand" is now published in Global Health Research and Policy (Tier 1 (top 10%), Health Policy).

Abstract:

Background
Given the lack of legal status, stateless persons often live in precarious situations that put them at risk of mental health problems, especially in urban settings. Moreover, pathways to citizenship may involve navigating different legal statuses over a lifetime, posing additional challenges. Yet, research on the nexus between legal status and mental health remains scant. This study examines the factors that influence the mental health of persons with different legal statuses in a Thai urban context. Thailand has one of the largest stateless populations in the world. In late 2024, however, expedited procedures for long-term residents were announced to address protracted citizenship problems in the country.

Methods
This study employed a qualitative design. Data were collected through 47 in-depth interviews in Northern Thailand’s largest city in July 2023 using purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis, based on a social determinants of mental health framework, was used to analyse the data.

Results
Legal status is related to multiple and interdependent conditions of precarity in the city. Together they create a compounding effect that threatens mental health. The more restricted the rights attached to a legal status, the greater the effect. Past negative life events, adverse employment conditions, and discrimination are key factors that lead to mental health challenges. Obtaining permanent legal status, on the other hand, alleviates legal uncertainty and provides immediate benefits by enhancing access to fundamental rights, with positive effects on mental health. Yet, it cannot reverse pernicious long-term effects of past deprivations, such as foregone opportunities for education and employment, as well as past traumatic events on mental health.

Conclusions
The 2024 landmark move of Thailand’s Cabinet to accelerate progress in resolving citizenship problems for almost 500,000 persons should be accompanied by multi-pronged interventions aimed at improving the social determinants of mental health. In addition, access the mental healthcare should be facilitated.

Her article is accessible here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2397064226000049?via%3Dihub

Dr. Nopphol Witvorapong (a CHE member) has recently published an article titled 'Filial piety and fertility decisions, Thailand', in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (Top 10% journal in Public Health. His co-authors include Thant Zin, and Jim Stankovich, both of whom are students in the MA Applied Economics - Chulalongkorn University program, at the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University.

The article is free to download from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12834346/.

Dr. Pochamana Phisalprapa (MD, PhD) - a graduate from the M. Sc. program in Health Economics and Health Care Management (linked with our Center) and the PhD program in Economics from the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University - has been officially promoted to full professorship.

Dr. Pochamana is a faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University and currently serves as Associate Director of Siriraj Hospital.

Dr. Pochamana's research profile can be found here:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=02W22DwAAAAJ&hl=en

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Pochamana!

The CHE is on a roll!

Another joint publication between a Masters student at the MAAE program MA Applied Economics - Chulalongkorn University and a professor from the Center of Excellence for Health Economics: Yada Wornyordphan and Prof. Kannika Damrongplasit.

The publication, titled "The Impact of Old Age Pension on Subjective Well-being: Evidence from Thailand", is published in Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences and Humanities (Indexed in TCI, tier 1). It is available here: https://so12.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jcsh/article/view/3953

Abstract:

In this study, an analysis was conducted on the impact of old age pension on subjective well-being in Thailand for those aged 60 and over. Data was obtained from the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Thailand (HART) survey for the 2015 and 2020 waves. A random-effects ordered logit model was employed as the primary method due to the panel structure of the data, while the ordered logit model was used as an alternative methodology. The results indicated that the old age pension has a minimal impact on subjective well-being, relative to other non-financial factors. Other variables such as age, marital status, residential area, region, health status, and income perception tend to have stronger impacts on subjective well-being. Subjective well-being decreases with age. Marriage, living in urban areas, better health status, and higher perception of income are associated with improved subjective well-being. Interestingly, the findings from this study also demonstrate regional differences in subjective well-being.

The Impact of Old Age Pension on Subjective Well-being: Evidence from Thailand | Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences and Humanities The Impact of Old Age Pension on Subjective Well-being: Evidence from Thailand Article Sidebar PDF Published: Aug 15, 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59796/jcsh.v12i2.46-57 Keywords: Subjective Well-Being Old Age Pension Ordered Logit Regression Model Health Economics Main Article Content Yada Wornyord...

The CHE's latest publication, co-authored by Supitchaya Changsatja, Chayanis Kositamongkol, Lucksamon Thamlikitkul. Pochamana Phisalprapa and Touchanun Komonpaisarn (a CHE member).

This work is part of Supitchaya's Masters thesis from the Faculty of Economics' MA Applied Economics - Chulalongkorn University program.

The publication in Value in Health Regional Issues (Q1) is titled, "Cost-Utility Analysis of Adjuvant Osimertinib in Resected Epidermal-Growth-Factor-Receptor-Mutated Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer".

Abstract:

Objectives
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. One-third of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are diagnosed at a resectable stage, for which surgery is the standard curative treatment. However, most patients recur within 2 years. Adjuvant osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly reduces recurrence and prolongs survival in completely resected EGFR-mutated NSCLC. This study assessed the cost-utility and budget impact of adjuvant osimertinib versus placebo for resected stage IB-IIIA EGFR-mutated NSCLC from Thailand’s societal perspective.

Methods
A Markov model with a lifetime horizon and 4-week cycle was developed, including 3 health states: disease-free, recurrent disease, and death. Patients received osimertinib or placebo in the disease-free state, with recurrence categorized as locoregional or distant. Subsequent treatments were modeled based on recurrence timing. Health outcomes were obtained from a systematic review, and costs followed Thai health technology assessment guidelines. Results were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in 2023 USD per quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses addressed uncertainty.

Results
Osimertinib yielded 2.36 additional QALYs at an incremental cost of USD 62 604.90, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of USD 26 474.02/QALY, exceeding Thailand’s willingness-to-pay threshold (USD 4619). An 85.07% price reduction is required for cost-effectiveness. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed 0% probability of cost-effectiveness at the current threshold, increasing to 52% at USD 25 981.97/QALY. The 5-year budget impact analysis was estimated at USD 678.73 million.

Conclusions
Adjuvant osimertinib is not cost-effective in Thailand under current pricing but could be with major price reductions or risk-sharing strategies.

The article is now available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212109925004935?via%3Dihub

Latest article by Dr. Nopphol Witvorapong - a CHE member.

The article titled "Costs and Budget Impact of Scaling-Up Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children Program in Thailand" is published in Child: Care, Health and Development (Q1 in Pediatrics and in Public Health). It is coauthored by

Hsu Myat Mon (Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University), Wilaiwan Pongpaew (Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University), Amalee McCoy (Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University), Piya Hanvoravongchai (Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, currently at NUS).

Abstract

Background
Violence against children poses short- and long-term risks to health, society and economy. The Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children (PLH-YC) programme has been shown to be effective in reducing child maltreatment for 2- to 9-year-old children in Thailand. We assessed the costs and budget requirements across multiple scenarios for scaling up the PLH-YC programme in Thailand.

Methods
Five scaling-up scenarios at varying levels were identified through a consultative workshop and semistructured interviews, with implementation planned via existing infrastructures. A bottom-up costing approach was employed to estimate the cost and budget impact using data collected through document review, website search and interviews. Costing was performed using the provider's and societal perspectives.

Results
The cost per caregiver based on the societal perspective ranged from 262 to 300 USD (1 USD = 35.36 THB in 2024). From the provider's perspective, the cost per caregiver trained was estimated at 82–195 USD. Assuming nationwide programme implementation, the estimated total budget impact for 1 year ranged from 50 to 76 million USD.

Conclusions
Scaling-up PLH-YC incurs different unit costs per caregiver depending on the levels of programme delivery. However, budget requirements for all scenarios can be prohibitively high. To increase financial feasibility, programme modifications while maintaining quality, such as fewer parenting sessions or hybrid implementation, should be explored. Strong political commitment and financial support by key stakeholders are necessary for programme adoption and scaling up.

The full article can be found here:

Costs and Budget Impact of Scaling‐Up Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children Program in Thailand Background Violence against children poses short- and long-term risks to health, society and economy. The Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children (PLH-YC) programme has been shown to be eff...

We are pleased to introduce the latest publication by Dr. Nopphol Witvorapong (CHE member), along with his co-authors from the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University and National Cheng Kung University.

The publication is titled 'Assessing enterprise competitiveness in Thailand: A multi-dimensional approach', published in Asia Pacific Management Review (Q1 in Business, Strategy and Management, IF=5.6)

Abstract:
This study examines enterprise competitiveness in Thailand using a theoretically-grounded five-pillar framework integrating Porter's competitive forces, Resource-Based View, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. Analyzing 15 indicators across Productivity, Profitability, Image, Stability, and Growth dimensions for over 800 Thai enterprises using the DataStream database, we reveal heterogeneous competitive profiles among top performers with significant industry concentration in Capital Goods, Healthcare, and Consumer Distribution sectors. Our dual-aggregation methodology comparing arithmetic and geometric means demonstrates substantial measurement sensitivity, with arithmetic means proving more appropriate for Thailand's competitive context. Most enterprises exhibit distinctive strengths in specific dimensions rather than balanced excellence, suggesting multiple strategic pathways to competitive advantage. Based on systematic analysis of internal capabilities and external environmental factors, we provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing enterprise competitiveness through targeted capability development and strategic positioning. This research offers valuable insights for business leaders designing competitive strategies and policymakers strengthening Thailand's economic landscape.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1029313225000429?fbclid=IwY2xjawOOEQZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeuEoXRl43qo1RVp5JdmNOHAC2fTHwciW3stvkxIbAl0oD_Ft5ESO8vxaz0Zc_aem_KEVSXd00R7uNwylb89kHfw

The World Bank – UNHCR Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement (JDC) and the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University - in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the World Bank - are coorganizing the 4ᵗʰ Research Conference on Forced Displacement. The Conference will take place in person on May 27-29, 2026, in Bangkok (Thailand), and will address in particular the following topics:

• Quantitative analysis of drivers and effects of self-reliance among the forcibly displaced, stateless people and the host communities.

• Quantitative research on pathways to and the impact of economic inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless people, including evidence on skills development, job integration, private sector investments, and entrepreneurship.

• Socioeconomic evidence on the return of displaced populations, reintegration challenges, and durable solutions.

• Methodological innovations in quantitative forced displacement research (e.g., sampling, data collection).

• Operational and policy impact of data and evidence in displacement settings.

To be considered for inclusion in the program, completed papers or extended abstracts should be submitted to [email protected] by January 5, 2026. Papers and extended abstracts should be submitted in English. The papers for the final program will be selected by a scientific committee.

Further information can be found on the conference website: https://www.jointdatacenter.org/news-and-events/4th-research-conference-on-forced-displacement/

For any questions, please email [email protected] or contact Domenico Tabasso at [email protected].

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Chantal Herberholz (the CHE director)'s promotion to full professorship!

🎉 คณะเศรษฐศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ขอแสดงความยินดีกับ รองศาสตราจารย์ ดร.ชันทาล แฮร์เบอร์โฮลส์ ในโอกาสได้รับโปรดเกล้าฯ แต่งตั้งให้ดำรงตำแหน่ง "ศาสตราจารย์" ในสาขาวิชาเศรษฐศาสตร์ ตั้งแต่วันที่ 6 มิถุนายน 2565 ตามประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ประกาศ ณ วันที่ 11 กันยายน 2568
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🎉 The Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, would like to congratulate Assoc. Prof.Chantal Herberhol, Ph.D., on the occasion of her appointment by Royal Command to the position of "Professor" in the field of Economics, effective from June 6, 2022, as officially announced by the Office of the Prime Minister on September 11, 2025.
#เศรษฐศาสตร์จุฬา #เศรษฐศาสตร์ #จุฬา

🌍 University of Georgia Summer Program in Thailand
📅 May 18 – June 1, 2025
📍 Bangkok (Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University) | Kanchanaburi | Prachuap Khiri Khan

The Center of Excellence for Health Economics was honored to welcome students and faculty from the University of Georgia, Athens, for the 2025 Summer Program in Thailand, focusing on Comparative Health Systems of the World. Over the course of two enriching weeks, participants engaged in insightful lectures led by faculty from both UGA and Thai institutions. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital, Hua Hin Hospital, and the National Health Security Office.