My research examines how limited resources can be used as efficiently and equitably as possible to improve population health. It combines health economics, priority setting, implementation science, and health systems research to generate evidence that supports health policy and decision-making.

A major focus is the prevention and treatment of malaria and other diseases affecting women and children in low- and middle-income countries. Much of this work is conducted through international research projects and consortia, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop and evaluate new vaccines, medicines, and other health interventions. Within these collaborations, my work focuses particularly on health economics and implementation science, including cost-effectiveness analyses, budget impact analyses, and decision modelling to inform healthcare priority setting.

Another focus is how research evidence can be translated into policy and practice. Through the EU-funded HEPI (Health Economics for Policy Impact) project, I coordinate work packages on capacity building and mentoring and contribute to the development of research networks and collaboration between universities, health authorities, and policymakers across Africa and Europe. The aim is to strengthen capacity to generate and apply health economic evidence for policy.

I lead the HELTER (Health Economics, Implementation, and Leadership Research in Global Health) research group at the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen. The group focuses on health economics, implementation science, and priority setting in global health, with a particular emphasis on strengthening equitable, sustainable, and evidence-informed health systems.

I disseminate my research through scientific publications and international research collaborations. I also contribute to the development of teaching materials, a mentoring programme, and evidence to support decision-making in health economics, priority setting, and global health.

I teach at master’s and PhD level in health economics and global health. At the University of Bergen, I currently contribute to courses on Applied Economic Evaluation (INTH314/INTH914) and Global Nutrition (INTH360).

My teaching covers economic evaluation, decision analysis and healthcare priority setting, as well as global health governance, international institutions, human rights, and international development cooperation. The courses connect theoretical perspectives with current challenges in global health and health policy.

See a complete overview of publications in NVA.

My research is organised into three thematic areas: health policy and research capacity, school and child health, and malaria prevention in vulnerable child populations. I am a co-investigator in several international research projects and lead work packages in health economics, implementation science, and capacity building. A common theme across my research is understanding how evidence-based interventions can be introduced, adapted, integrated, and scaled within health and education systems to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes.

Health Policy, Priority Setting and Research Capacity

• HEPI – Health Economics for Policy Impact (EU Horizon Europe) – Building research capacity in health economics through education, mentoring programmes, research networks, and collaboration between universities, health authorities, and regional organisations.

School and Child Health

• C-AUD (Research Council of Norway) – Development and evaluation of school-based interventions to promote mental health and prevent substance use among children and adolescents.
• Treat InterACT (Research Council of Norway) – Implementation research on school-based mental health interventions, focusing on how evidence-based programmes can be adapted and integrated into education and health systems.
• BabyGel (EDCTP) – Evaluation of home-based interventions to prevent neonatal infections through improved hand hygiene and implementation of simple, effective preventive measures.

Malaria Prevention in Vulnerable Child Populations

• HEKIMA (Research Council of Norway) – Development and evaluation of novel malaria prevention strategies, with a particular focus on implementation, health economics, and integration into existing health services.
• PDMC-SAM (MRC–UKRI) – Evaluation of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention for children recovering from severe acute malnutrition.
• PDMCC Implement (Research Council of Norway) – Research on the introduction, implementation, and scale-up of WHO-recommended post-discharge malaria chemoprevention within national health systems.
• R21/Matrix-M (EDCTP3) – Evaluation of malaria vaccination as a strategy to extend protection following severe malaria or severe anaemia.

I serve as principal and co-supervisor for PhD candidates and medical students enrolled in the Research Track programme, working in health economics, implementation science, and global health. My supervision includes research design, economic evaluation, data analysis, scientific writing, and publication.

PhD Candidates

Sharon Adhiambo — Principal Supervisor

Sharon’s research focuses on gender perspectives in health economics and priority setting in low- and middle-income countries. The project examines how gender influences priority-setting processes, resource allocation, and the design of health benefit packages to support more equitable and inclusive health systems.

Nescillah Omodo — Principal Supervisor

Nescillah’s research focuses on epidemiological modelling, implementation science, and health economic evaluation of novel malaria prevention strategies, including monoclonal antibodies. The project combines disease modelling, economic evaluation, and implementation research to inform decisions on the introduction of new interventions.

Ritha Anderson Willilo — Co-supervisor

Ritha’s research focuses on healthcare priority setting and the development of priority-setting criteria for health interventions in Tanzania. The project examines how health economic evidence and explicit priority-setting criteria can contribute to more transparent, equitable, and evidence-informed decision-making.

Research Track Medical Students

Heidi Høhaug

Heidi is investigating the acceptability and feasibility of a hand hygiene intervention to prevent neonatal infections in Uganda. The project forms part of the BabyGel study and has resulted in a peer-reviewed scientific publication.

Neda Valeckaite

Neda is investigating how school-based health interventions can be integrated into teaching in Uganda. The project has resulted in a manuscript for scientific publication.