Global Health Economics, China, & the Science of Health Care Delivery in the Digital Age

Advances in artificial intelligence, use of "big data", digital platforms enabling mass collaboration, automation, the "internet-of-things" and other so-called "4th Industrial Revolution" (4IR) technologies are enabling a radical shift in how healthcare is delivered. Few places are attempting to integrate these technologies into healthcare as rapidly as China. This talk will discuss China's comparative advantage in the adoption of these technologies and lay out a research agenda for the economics of digital health. While these technologies bring potential to produce massive improvements in access to high-quality care and lower costs, this result is far from certain. Beyond mere technical uncertainty, 4IR technologies are likely to produce profound changes in healthcare markets by altering the nature of incentives in the health system and relationships between patients, providers, payers. Evidence on these issues is needed to inform policy and regulation aiming to maximize social value and mitigate unintended consequences. Specific applications will be drawn from online research in China and other middle-income countries.

About the Speaker

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Sean Sylvia is an Assistant Professor of health economics at UNC. His primary research interest is in the delivery of healthcare in China and other middle-income countries. Working with multidisciplinary teams of collaborators, he conducts large-scale population-based surveys and randomized trials to develop and test new approaches to provide healthcare to the poor and marginalized. His recent work focuses on the use of information technology to expand access to quality healthcare. 

For more information, please visit his personal website.

This event will be held in-person at Stanford University, masks are not required but strongly encouraged.

Questions? Contact sccei-communications@stanford.edu