Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science (PRICELESS SA)

Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science PRICELESS SA is a research unit based in Johannesburg, South Africa, within the University of the Witwatersrand. Established in 2009, it is a public academic centre focused on advancing evidence for equitable and efficient health policy in South Africa and the region. The centre bridges economics, public health, and social science to inform decision making in resource constrained settings.

Research spans health economics, cost effectiveness analysis, and the political economy of health. Recent work evaluates dialysis modalities, prevention of mother to child transmission services for migrants, and the fiscal and employment effects of the Health Promotion Levy. Studies on alcohol regulation and industry influence highlight strengths in analysing commercial determinants of health and regulatory processes.

A further focus is health systems resilience and community care, including chronic disease service disruptions during COVID 19 and informal caregiving for older adults with cognitive decline in rural areas. Investigations into unhealthy food environments and marketing to children reinforce its leadership in prevention policy. The centre plays a pivotal role in shaping evidence based public health reform in South Africa.