Comparative Health Policy Analysis: Tackling the Economic Burden of Aging Populations and Chronic Diseases

The global rise in aging populations and chronic diseases poses unprecedented economic and healthcare challenges. This PhD project conducts a cross-national comparison of health policies to evaluate their effectiveness in managing the dual burden of aging demographics and escalating chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia).

Key focus areas include:

  • Policy Efficiency: Assessing how different countries (e.g., U.S., EU, Japan, Scandinavia) finance and deliver elderly care under fiscal constraints.
  • Chronic Disease Management: Comparing prevention strategies, digital health integration (AI, remote monitoring), and value-based care models.
  • Economic Sustainability: Analyzing the long-term fiscal impact of aging societies on public health systems and private insurance markets.

By identifying best practices and policy gaps, this research aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for cost-effective, equitable, and scalable solutions—ensuring health systems remain resilient amid demographic shifts.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

  1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
  2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
  3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Catia Nicodemo - Catia Nicodemo is a Professor of Health Economics at Brunel Business School (BBS), Associate Professor at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford and Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford. Her research focuses on healthcare management, health inequality, and policy evaluation, exploring the economic dimensions of healthcare delivery and the social determinants of health. Catia’s work addresses both the demand and supply sides of health systems, analyzing issues such as healthcare workforce distribution, primary care efficiency, and the impacts of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes. Catia has led and collaborated on major projects funded by prestigious organizations, including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the ESRC. Her work has contributed valuable insights into policies for reducing emergency hospitalizations, improving primary care services, and enhancing resource allocation in the NHS. At Oxford, she has played a pivotal role in research projects examining the effects of England's Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, which aims to increase healthcare access and quality through expanded primary care roles. In addition to her research, Catia has held various academic roles across institutions, including the University of Oxford, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and University Pompeu Fabra. She is an active contributor to the scientific community, serving as an associate editor for several journals and regularly reviewing grants for major funding bodies. Her expertise is widely recognized, and her research has been featured in prominent media outlets.