The working group II "Economic Evaluation: Mental Health and Public Health" at the Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research (UKE), headed by PD Dr. rer. biol. hum. Christian Brettschneider, focuses on the rigorous health economic evaluation of innovative care models, preventive measures, and diagnostic strategies. The group places a strong emphasis on the complexity of mental health disorders (including dementia, depression, anorexia nervosa, PTSD) and structural public health interventions (e.g., prehospital triage, liquid biopsy). By applying state-of-the-art methodology, the working group provides essential evidence for the cost-effective and value-oriented allocation of resources within the German and European healthcare systems.

Methodological Expertise The working group’s core methodological competencies cover the entire spectrum of health economic evaluations. These include:

• Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Utility Analyses: Determining the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with a special focus on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
• Modeling Techniques: Developing short- and long-term computer-based simulation models, including decision tree analyses and Markov models. ·
• Claims Data Analysis: Analyzing medical care costs and healthcare utilization based on statutory health insurance (GKV) claims data to evaluate complex interventions.
• Multidimensional Perspectives: Conducting evaluations from the perspective of statutory health insurances, hospitals, and the broader societal perspective, incorporating both direct and indirect costs.