{"id":24,"date":"2025-08-19T07:06:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T07:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openbook.ums.edu.my\/introtohealtheconomics\/front-matter\/preface\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T07:37:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T07:37:55","slug":"preface","status":"publish","type":"front-matter","link":"https:\/\/openbook.ums.edu.my\/introtohealtheconomics\/front-matter\/preface\/","title":{"raw":"Preface","rendered":"Preface"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

The journey of writing this book began in the classroom, where students often asked:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhy should we study economics in health?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>The answer became clear because every decision in healthcare, from building hospitals to introducing new medicines, involves choices about how to use limited resources.<\/p>\r\n

This book,\u00a0<\/span>Intro to Health Economics: What Every Health Professional Should Know<\/em>, was written to make health economics approachable, practical, and relevant to our local context. While global textbooks provide excellent foundations, there is a need for learning materials that connect theory with the realities of healthcare systems in Malaysia and the surrounding region.<\/p>\r\n

The chapters are intentionally structured to start with the basics, then guide readers through methods of analysis, and finally show how these principles inform real-world policies. To keep learning active and engaging, interactive elements such as case discussions, reflective tasks, and H5P activities are included.<\/p>\r\n

This book is not only for students but also for health professionals, managers, and policymakers who want to make better decisions in a resource-constrained world. It is my hope that readers will find it both a learning tool and a source of inspiration to apply economics in ways that improve equity, efficiency, and health outcomes for all.<\/p>\r\n

I am grateful to my students, colleagues, and institution for their encouragement and feedback, which shaped this work. Most importantly, I dedicate this book to the learners who continue to challenge us to think critically and to find innovative solutions for today\u2019s health challenges.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

\n

The journey of writing this book began in the classroom, where students often asked:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhy should we study economics in health?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>The answer became clear because every decision in healthcare, from building hospitals to introducing new medicines, involves choices about how to use limited resources.<\/p>\n

This book,\u00a0<\/span>Intro to Health Economics: What Every Health Professional Should Know<\/em>, was written to make health economics approachable, practical, and relevant to our local context. While global textbooks provide excellent foundations, there is a need for learning materials that connect theory with the realities of healthcare systems in Malaysia and the surrounding region.<\/p>\n

The chapters are intentionally structured to start with the basics, then guide readers through methods of analysis, and finally show how these principles inform real-world policies. To keep learning active and engaging, interactive elements such as case discussions, reflective tasks, and H5P activities are included.<\/p>\n

This book is not only for students but also for health professionals, managers, and policymakers who want to make better decisions in a resource-constrained world. It is my hope that readers will find it both a learning tool and a source of inspiration to apply economics in ways that improve equity, efficiency, and health outcomes for all.<\/p>\n

I am grateful to my students, colleagues, and institution for their encouragement and feedback, which shaped this work. Most importantly, I dedicate this book to the learners who continue to challenge us to think critically and to find innovative solutions for today\u2019s health challenges.<\/p>\n

\n

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