The following is a statement by Dr. Jeffrey Drope, Director of Economics for Health.

“Decades of data on global burden of disease and mortality are clear. Increasingly, preventable deaths around the world are being driven by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, lung disease, and heart disease, which now give rise to 74% of global deaths. This isn’t just a public health issue. It is a development issue, with preventable disease hampering the full potential of economies, generating crushing health care costs, widening inequality and social unrest, and reducing population productivity. 

An important way forward to healthier populations and thriving, equitable economies is through smart fiscal policies. Fiscal policies drive the key contributors to NCDs and population health including how many people smoke, what foods are affordable and accessible, and whether the air we breathe is clean– three of the four top contributors of NCDs.

Specialized expertise in economics is required to support governments in designing and reforming fiscal policies so they can maximize health impact and revenue. For nearly twenty years, our Tobacconomics team has been addressing that gap, producing cutting-edge research to arm governments, policy makers, advocates, and health and development professionals with the data and insights they need to improve tobacco tax and other related fiscal policies. Over the years, we have leveraged our expertise and new partnerships to become involved in other public health areas including the areas of alcohol, diet, and environmental pollution.

Now, in recognition of our broader scope of work and our ambition, Tobacconomics has a new name: Economics for Health. With methods developed over the past two decades, we use advanced modeling and other applied research methodologies to demonstrate how policies can not only drive economic growth, but also promote health, wellbeing and development. We work in partnership with local think tanks and economic experts in strong consortia that bridge the gaps among experts and those in health, in communities, and development leaders. Together, we’re mapping the way towards healthier populations, reduced inequalities, and catalyzing economic development.”

Economics for Health at-a-glance:

• Economics for Health experts work in more than 20 countries on fiscal policies covering the areas of tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets including ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages, and air quality. Other expertise areas include child development and improving supply and value chains to promote equity and prosperity.
• Economics for Health is a leading source of high-quality economics data and analysis for policy makers, journalists, academicians, and more. For instance, its most recent Cigarette Tax Score Card found that between 2020 and 2022, tobacco tax policieshad become less effective in 76 countries and had only improved in 31 countries. Cigarettes have even become more affordable in many places around the world, including, on average, in Europe. This alarming trend threatens to undo decades of progress on tobacco control.
• The newly launched org website contains links to all prior research including hundreds of country reports and case studies on tobacco, alcohol, and other related issues. Follow @EconForHealth on X and Economics For Health on LinkedIn and Facebook for new research alerts.
• Economics for Health will continue to publish marquee reports including the Cigarette Tax Scorecard and The Tobacco Atlas.
• Economics for Health is housed at the Health, Behavior and Society department at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.