Inaugural lecture Jochen Mierau: The Value of Health

On Friday 4 April, Professor of Public Health Economics Jochen Mierau will hold his inaugural lecture titled 'The value of health'. In his inaugural lecture, he will delve into the questions of how health shapes the economy, and how public health is shaped by the economy. Mierau explores the two-way relationship between health and our economic system. He argues that health is a fundamental factor of production—without it, economic and societal development is impossible. Large health disparities, therefore, signal that society is not reaching its full economic potential.

Health risks from within our economic system

Examining the origins of health disparities, Mierau highlights an important shift: whereas past threats to health came from external dangers, today’s health risks emerge from within our economic system. While markets provide livelihoods for millions and drive innovations that improve well-being, health harming industries contribute to a significant share of deaths worldwide. Yet, these industries are not driven by an intent to make people unhealthy—their primary objective is profit.

Profit motives shape health outcomes and our knowledge

From this perspective, Mierau demonstrates that the profit motive not only shapes health outcomes but also influences what we know in the first place—impacting research priorities and the policies designed to address health threats. Indeed, markets will always favor treatments that generate private profits over preventive measures that primarily benefit society as a whole. He argues that aligning economic development with public health requires balancing the pursuit of profit with legally enshrined health goals.

More information

Jochen Mierau's inaugural lecture will take place on 4 April 2025, 16:15 - 17:00, in the Aula of the Academy Building.

Please register by the 28th of March via the registration form.

Livestream on 4 April 2025, see: www.rug.nl/digitale-oratie