The motivation to participate in the Postgraduate Course in Health Economics and Health Outcomes stemmed from the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem functions, particularly in relation to the approval of medicines.
The hybrid format of the classes fits well with an active professional life as a Market Access manager in a pharmaceutical company. The diverse experiences of both the instructors and participants make the sessions collaborative and dynamic.
Marta Rodrigues
Public Affairs Lead – Ipsen Portugal
At NOVA NSPH I found much more than just a place of learning, I found an environment where I was able to grow on many levels. From my Master’s to my PhD, I took part in national and international projects that resulted in publications and conference presentations. I also took on responsibilities as President of the Students’ Association and as a member of the Pedagogical Council, contributing with initiatives that made a real impact on our community. The close relationship with lecturers, researchers and fellow students made this experience unique, created a lasting bond with NOVA NSPH, and strengthened my confidence in the path I chose to follow.
Francisco Madeira
PhD Student
The Postgraduate in Health Economics and Health Outcomes was essential to complement my training in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The classes, materials, and practical examples provided a comprehensive view of Health Economics, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in Public Health at NOVA NSPH. In addition to the knowledge gained, the sharing of experiences among colleagues was enriching. The course boosted my career, allowing me to better understand the healthcare system and evolve as a hospital pharmacist and now as a research fellow.
Ana Rita Santos
Health Economics Researcher – Value for Health CoLAB
My journey at NSPH began 4 years ago when I joined the Master's programme in Public Health, and has been consolidated until I started my PhD. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to take part in national and international research projects that have made a decisive contribution to my academic and professional growth, allowing me to build a solid and diverse network. I actively participated in the school's associative life, which was an enriching experience, not only because of the teamwork and community spirit, but also because I was able to represent and contribute to the continuous improvement of the student pathway at NSPH. NSPH is not only a place for learning, but also a place for belonging, growth and transformation. And it is with great pride that I am part of this community.
The article “Social prescribing in Portugal: a call to address social and behavioural determinants of health, promote health, and strengthen the sustainability of the National Health Service”, published in the Portuguese Journal of Public Health (2025;43(4):294-299), was highlighted as the Article of the Week by the Portuguese Medical Journals Index (ÍndexRMP).
Authored by Sónia Dias, Dean of NOVA NSPH, together with Cristiano Figueiredo, Louíse Hoffmeister, Maria João Marques, Ana Rita Pedro, Margarida Canas, Vasco Ricoca Peixoto and Ana Gama, the article examines the evolution of social prescribing at an international level and describes its implementation pathway in Portugal, highlighting the potential of this approach to promote population health, address the social and behavioural determinants of health, and contribute to the sustainability of the National Health Service..
Social prescribing allows healthcare professionals to refer patients to community activities, services, and resources, whether social, cultural, sporting, or of another nature, promoting healthier lifestyles, stronger social connections, and more integrated, person-centred responses.
In Portugal, the implementation of social prescribing began with NOVA NSPH in 2018 in Family Health Units of the Lisbon Central Health Centre Group, currently part of the São José Local Health Unit, and has progressively expanded to other regions of the country, involving municipalities and organisations from the social sector.
Throughout this process, NOVA NSPH has played a pioneering and mobilising role in the development of social prescribing in Portugal, contributing to the establishment of this approach nationally. The School has led several projects, including providing technical-scientific support, monitoring and evaluation, strengthening evidence production, and adapting international models to the Portuguese context. NOVA NSPH was also a founder of the Portuguese Social Prescribing Network, an initiative that has been instrumental in promoting knowledge sharing, capacity building for professionals, and strengthening collaboration between health, the social sector, and the community.
The article also highlights some of the main challenges for consolidating this approach in Portugal, including the need to raise awareness of social prescribing, deepen intersectoral collaboration, and ensure systematic monitoring of initiatives to guarantee their quality, impact, and sustainability.
The recognition by ÍndexRMP reinforces the scientific relevance and timeliness of the topic. The Portuguese Medical Journals Index, recently renewed, is the only database that comprehensively collects articles published in over 200 Portuguese medical journals, and for more than 30 years it has been distinguishing high-quality, timely work on a weekly basis for a community of over 11,000 users.
This acknowledgement reinforces the School’s contribution to knowledge production and the development of innovative public health solutions, confirming its role as a reference institution in an area in which it was a pioneer in Portugal.
The NOVA National School of Public Health marked NOVA NSPH Day at the NOVA Rectorate, in a moment celebrating the academic community, merit, and the trajectory of an institution that has served society and public health for more than half a century.
The session included addresses by the Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, Paulo Pereira, the Dean of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias, the President of the School Council, Marçal Grilo, the President of the Alumni Association, Ana Rita Pedro, and the President of the Students’ Association, Francisco Madeira. The event also brought together hundreds of faculty members, researchers, staff, students, alumni, partners and representatives of the University.
Opening the ceremony, the Dean of NOVA NSPH highlighted the symbolic significance of the occasion as a moment to recognise the School’s history while also affirming its future. During her address, Sónia Dias emphasised the School’s path of growth and transformation, underlining its ability to respond to contemporary public health challenges with ambition, innovation and a strong sense of mission. “The National School of Public Health has been serving society for more than half a century. This journey is a source of pride, but also of responsibility”, she noted.
In a context marked by rapid change and increasingly complex challenges, the Dean reinforced the central role of public health in addressing some of the most pressing issues of the present and the future, from climate change to the digital transition, and from social inequalities to emerging health threats. In this regard, she stressed the importance of institutional collaboration and the School’s openness to society, international networks and strategic partnerships. “There is no strong public health without collaboration”, she stated, recalling the work carried out with hundreds of national and international partners.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to highlight the outcomes of NOVA NSPH’s strategy across the different areas of its mission. Key milestones included the growth in the number of students, the diversification of academic programmes, the strengthening of internationalisation, the consolidation of competitive research and the School’s increasing impact on society. The preparation of new programmes was also highlighted, namely the international undergraduate degree in Global Public Health and the forthcoming submission of the undergraduate degree in Health Management.
The Dean also recalled the historic role of NOVA NSPH in educating professionals who have shaped the Portuguese health system. Another central point of her speech was the School’s growing recognition as an international reference in the field of public health. In this context, Sónia Dias also highlighted the achievement of two World Health Organization Collaborating Centres in the areas of Quality and Patient Safety and Health Management, making NOVA NSPH the only school in Portugal with this distinction.
Research was also given prominence in the celebrations. Under the theme “Research Excellence”, Julian Perelman, Marta Marques and Carla Martins delivered presentations in a moment dedicated to highlighting the School’s scientific output and its capacity to generate knowledge addressing real health challenges. In this regard, the Dean noted the exponential growth in competitively funded research projects.
Academic and Scientific Merit Awards
The programme also included the presentation of the Academic Merit Awards, led by the Vice-Dean for Education, Rui Santana, which distinguished students from several courses and advanced training programmes of the School, recognising their performance and dedication.
One of the most symbolic moments of NOVA NSPH Day was the first edition of the Professor Doctor Carla Nunes Scientific Merit Award, created to honour one of the most distinguished figures of the School and of public health in Portugal. In her address, Sónia Dias described it as “a particularly symbolic moment for the School”, highlighting the scientific, academic and human legacy of Carla Nunes, whose inspiration will continue to shape future generations.
The session also included the segment “A renewed campus for the future”, dedicated to presenting strategic investments in the modernisation of the School’s facilities and in preparing it for new challenges. Among the projects highlighted by the Dean were the funding obtained through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) to improve energy efficiency and the adaptation of infrastructures, through CCDR/FEDER, to host the future Public Health Innovation Centre, reinforcing the ambition to prepare NOVA NSPH for “the public health of the future”.
Institutional Recognition of Merit was another important moment of the ceremony, highlighting the contribution of individuals and career paths that help build the School’s identity and mission every day.
Closing her address, the Dean delivered a message of unity, commitment and confidence in the future, reinforcing that the development of NOVA NSPH is built on the strength of its community. “The future of the School does not begin tomorrow. It is built today. It is happening now”, she stated, concluding with a note of collective identity and belonging: “We are all ENSP, we are NOVA”.
Gain insight into the South Korean health system: to analyse its governance, organisation and financing models, as well as the system’s key performance indicators.
Explore innovation and digital transformation in health: to understand the development of technologies, digital solutions and policies aimed at improving health outcomes.
Analyse governance and financing of the health system: to reflect on sustainability, performance and management models.
Establish networks and foster future collaborations: to promote engagement with international professionals and experts, encouraging future partnerships and academic exchanges.
The study visit to Seoul will take place from 16 to 24 October and will include a scientific programme and institutional visits to leading organisations in Seoul, which may include:
Yonsei University;
Severance Hospital;
National Cancer Center;
Myongji Hospital.
This initiative is aimed at students of the Specialisation Course in Hospital Administration, hospital administrators and other professionals working in the field of health management, and is limited to a restricted number of participants.
Applications are now officially open and will remain open until 6 March 2026.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the submission of the registration form.
