Sistemas de Saúde e Políticas de Saúde

This is an interdisciplinary research group with inputs from medicine, public health, environmental science, health economics and the social sciences. Our aim is to conduct timely and robust policy evaluation research to improve health equity. Extending on our 2018-23 achievements we propose the following new research lines:

-Dual benefit financing - building on our previous and ongoing research on the potential of raising revenue for health care and improving population health by reducing fossil fuel subsidies and increasing environmental taxes in Indonesia and Latin America, we will explore the scope for innovative policy evolution in agricultural subsidies and environmental taxes in the European context, including Portugal. Candidate policies include the CAP Strategic Plan for Portugal 2023-27 and a "tourist tax" floated in the 2024 election. We will conduct Health and Environmental Impact Assessments to determine whether these policies could better contribute to the achievement of health and environmental goals in Portugal.

- Transport policy - extending the work we have conducted in tobacco control and food policy evaluation, we will examine the health and environmental impacts of selected transport policies in Portugal. The country has sought to implement a number of innovative policies over the past 5 years but these measures have often been weakened when faced with popular and political opposition. Candidate policy examples include the introduction of the low emissions zone in Lisbon, the creation of cycling lanes in various cities and a proposed increase in tax levied on older vehicles. After discussion with key stakeholders, including our NGO partner Zero, we will prioritize which policies to focus on and proceed with a policy document and media content analysis, alongside stakeholder interviews to understand why policy implementation was sub-optimal and estimate associated foregone health and environmental benefits through literature reviews and modeling.