Call for papers. Health Economics: Challenges, Evidence and Policy in a Changing World

Dear colleagues,

Health Economics is now a well-established discipline, with an active research community in Spain, Latin America and around the world. It has played a key role in addressing the major challenges facing contemporary health systems from a rigorous, evidence-based perspective: Population ageing, an increase in chronic diseases, the integration of emerging technologies, the financial sustainability of public services, health governance, and equitable access. The recent pandemic has further emphasised the importance of robust analytical tools for evaluating the economic impact of health-related decisions and guiding public health policies.

This proposal for a monographic issue invites the submission of high-quality papers exploring health economics from multiple perspectives, with a particular focus on:

• Studies of the direct, indirect and social costs of prevalent or emerging diseases, which are fundamental to optimising resource allocation.
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that identify gaps in the literature and consolidate evidence on health interventions.
• Historical and territorial analyses of health systems that connect structural transformations with the dynamics of supply and demand for health services.
• Research on management models, efficiency and economic evaluation in the public, private or mixed provision of healthcare.
• Studies of the relationship between health, the environment and sustainability, considering the health impacts of pollution, climate change and working conditions.
• Health and wellness tourism is relevant in regions with natural resources and health infrastructure, such as Galicia.
• Legal and economic studies addressing the regulatory frameworks that influence access, financing and health innovation.

This editorial proposal aims to bring together the extensive network of researchers working in this field, both in Spain, where there are robust research groups in universities and public centres supported by organisations such as AES and SESPAS, and in Latin America, where health reforms and social inequalities necessitate analytical frameworks that integrate economics, health, and social justice.

Deadline for manuscript submission:

Original research is welcome for publication in this issue. All submissions will undergo double-blind anonymous review to guarantee high scientific quality and relevance to the subject. The deadline is 28 February 2026. Accepted articles will be published on-line approximately one month after acceptance.

Guest Editors:

Dr. Manuel Ruiz Adame (mruizadame@go.ugr.es, Universidad de Granada, Spain)

Dr. Bruno Casal Rodríguez (bruno.casal@udc.es, Universidade da Coruña, Spain)

Dr. David Patiño Rodríguez (pato@us.es, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain)

Dr. Susana Martínez Rodríguez (susanamartinezr@um.es, Universidad de Murcia, Spain)