This book has two aims: to improve current views on the role of economics in healthcare and to explain the method of health economic evaluation.

All too often, economics is seen as a synonym for savings and financial pressure. However, what it really aims to do is find the best possible way to spend the available financial means. In order to apply economic thinking to healthcare, one should view the health sector as a productive sector whose aim is to produce health, by ensuring that people live longer and more healthily. As "productive" goes hand in hand with "productivity", society must try to gain as much health as possible with the available means. Therefore, priority must be given to interventions (both preventive and curative) which result in the greatest amount of health for the money that is invested. These choices can be made by means of health economic evaluation. Hence, the second goal of this book is to explore the methods of health economic evaluation and explain them. Again and again, non-economists are confronted with the results of such evaluations, for example in articles in medical journals. However, they often ignore them because they are not familiar with the terminology and techniques. This book aims to equip non-economists with enough knowledge to participate in the choices that are made in health care.

"This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the economic evaluation of health and health care." (V. Broex, Policy Maker)

"The author takes you by the hand and step by step guides you through the principles and methods of health economic evaluation." (A. Vandevelde, Pharmacist)

"This is an essential book for health care professionals that have no background in economics." (W. Delva, Physician)