There are big differences in health and access to healthcare around the world. In many low and middle-income countries, families are still at high risk when someone gets sick, often because they can’t afford the care they need. Progress toward making healthcare available for everyone has been slow.
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A real-world example: Maternal Health
For example, in Sierra Leone, many women do not have access to trained doctors or nurses during childbirth. This has led to very high numbers of mothers dying—about 443 out of every 100,000 births. In comparison, in Norway, a wealthy country with free and reliable healthcare for all, only about 2 mothers die in every 100,000 births.
This shows how unfair the global healthcare system can be. Where a person lives—and how much money their country has—can make a huge difference in whether they get the care they need to stay healthy and safe.
How ESHPM is making a difference
That’s why at ESHPM, through our Global Health Theme, we work to improve health systems, reduce inequalities, and support better health behaviours and outcomes. We do this through engaged teaching and research, in close collaboration with partners around the world.
Our expertise
We bring together deep knowledge in global health economics, behavioural economics, econometrics, health technology assessment, and governance. With these tools, we aim to help shape smarter policies and practical solutions that move us closer to fair and accessible healthcare for everyone—both in the Netherlands and across the globe.
Our Global Health experts
Prof.dr. Matthias RiegerProfessor and Theme Chair Global Health
Focus: Global Health Behaviours, Field & Natural Experiments, Health and Economic Development
dr. Igna BonfrerAssociate Professor Global Health Economics and Director Rotterdam Global Health Initiative
Focus: Health Systems
dr. Hedwig BlommesteinAssociate Professor Health Technology Assessment
Focus: Cost effectiveness, Cancer
dr. Robert BorstAssistant Professor
Focus: Health Policy, Governance, Knowledge Translation, Dutch Carribbean
Sean RichardsonPhD Researcher
Focus: Health Behaviours, Tuberculosis, South Africa
Ninza MwenesongolePhD Researcher
Focus: Healthcare financing in low and middle-income countries
What we focus on
At ESHPM, we want to help build a healthier world—especially in places where healthcare is hard to reach. Our work is driven by research, real-world challenges, and a strong commitment to finding practical solutions. Here are some of the key areas we focus on:
- Stronger Health Systems: We look at how healthcare can be made available to everyone, without causing financial stress. Our goal is to support systems that are fair, effective, and built to last.
- Health Behaviours in Real Life: Through our Global Health Behaviours Lab, we study how people make health decisions. We run real-world experiments in low-resource settings to test what actually works to support healthier choices.
- Health and the Economy:
We explore how poverty, income, and social conditions affect people’s health—and how better health can support economic development in return. - Changing Health Needs: We tackle today’s big health challenges, like the rise in chronic diseases (such as diabetes and heart conditions), while also addressing long-standing issues like malnutrition and infectious diseases.
- Smart Use of Technology: We explore how digital tools and new technology can improve the way healthcare is delivered—especially in places with limited resources.
Global Health and the SDGs
Our Global Health projects help shape real-world policies and interventions that improve access to healthcare and reduce health inequalities, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3).
We don’t look at health challenges in isolation—we connect them to wider issues like poverty and inequality. By understanding how poor health is linked to economic hardship and social disadvantage, our work also contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality).
Through research, education, and collaboration with global partners, we aim to create lasting impact where it’s needed most.
Relevant publications
Sambodo, N. P., Bonfrer, I., Sparrow, R., Pradhan, M., & van Doorslaer, E. (2023). Effects of performance-based capitation payment on the use of public primary health care services in Indonesia. Social Science & Medicine, 327, 115921.
Bonfrer, I. (2022). Dying to know: does performance-based financing reduce mortality?. Health Policy and Planning, 37(3), 416-417.
Nam, P. K., Restrepo, B. J., Rieger, M., & Wagner, N. (forthcoming). Can Information Enhanced with Nudges Mitigate the Rise of Childhood Obesity in the Global South? Journal of Human Resources.
de Vries Mecheva, M., Rieger, M., Sparrow, R., Prafiantini, E., & Agustina, R. (2021). Snacks, nudges and asymmetric peer influence: Evidence from food choice experiments with children in Indonesia. Journal of Health Economics, 79, 102508.
Borst, R. A., Wehrens, R., & Bal, R. (2023). “And when will you install the new water pump?”: disconcerted reflections on how to be a ‘good’Global Health scholar. Globalization and Health, 19(1), 19.
Borst, R. A., Wehrens, R., Bal, R., & Kok, M. O. (2022). From sustainability to sustaining work: What do actors do to sustain knowledge translation platforms?. Social Science & Medicine, 296, 114735.
Join us
ESHPM is dedicated to leading in global health through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge research, and education. Explore how you can join our mission to create a healthier, more equitable world.