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
This program values not only the quality of the theoretical content but also the close contact it fosters with key players in the healthcare sector, both nationally and internationally. The opportunity to work alongside students and external mentors on the development of a healthcare project enhances teamwork and commitment skills, which are essential in project management. Finally, the support and availability shown by the teaching staff is an extremely positive aspect of this postgraduate course.
Miguel Pereira
Clinical Research Coordinator at CUF
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
The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) and the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit (ULS) have signed a collaboration protocol aimed at implementing and developing Social Prescribing initiatives within the institution. This pioneering and strategic partnership will contribute to promoting health and preventing disease among the users served by this ULS.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Dean of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias, and the President of the ULS, Carlos Sá, who both emphasised the importance of joining forces between academia and the health system to address the challenges posed by the social determinants of health and to foster population well-being.
“Social prescribing has this dual capacity to operationalise health promotion and disease prevention. It is a person-centred approach that focuses on individual needs and values social, emotional, and community contexts,” stated Sónia Dias, highlighting that the initiative will be particularly relevant for vulnerable groups, though with the potential to benefit the wider population.
With this protocol, the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit (ULS) will be able to rethink its models of healthcare delivery, focusing on building more innovative and integrated solutions. In this initial phase, Social Prescribing will be implemented at the Conde da Lousã Family Health Unit, with a special focus on children and their families in situations of greater vulnerability – in a pioneering initiative (Connect) for this age group within primary healthcare, supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
The partnership also includes capacity-building actions for healthcare and social care professionals, as well as other community-based practitioners, and the evaluation of the impact of these interventions. This will be carried out in collaboration with the Social Prescribing Knowledge Centre of NOVA NSPH and the Portuguese Network for Social Prescribing.
NOVA NSPH has been at the forefront of development and research in this field, leading national and international projects and launching the first training course in Social Prescribing in Portugal. This protocol represents another step in affirming the School as a reference institution in public health innovation and reinforces NOVA NSPH’s commitment to integrated and sustainable solutions for the challenges facing the health sector and society at large.
The Health Re:Design Summit 2025, an initiative organised by the Student Association of the National School of Public Health (AEENSP NOVA), with the support of NOVA NSPH, gathered on 13 May 2025 a wide range of experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient associations, and representatives from leading institutions to discuss the key challenges and opportunities in the areas of Public Health, Innovation, and Health Leadership.
With the institutional support of several organisations, the event stood out as a space for reflection and cross-sectoral dialogue. The opening session featured the Director of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias, who emphasised the importance of the summit’s theme: Health Re:Design.
“Rethinking, redesigning, and rebuilding health systems is an urgent need of our time. More than just a conference, this event is a clear sign of your initiative, your vision, and your commitment to the future of health,” she stated.
Throughout the day, participants reflected on key issues in contemporary public health, such as health policy, technological innovation, and the development of leadership grounded in the common good.
The Dean of NOVA NSPH also highlighted the transformative role of the School’s students and alumni, who have been “solution creators, strategic thinkers, and active agents of change”.
One of the highlights of the event was the Scientific Competition, which encouraged the presentation of innovative ideas and projects with real impact potential in the health sector. “Valuing these ideas and giving them room to grow is a shared responsibility,” noted Sónia Dias, emphasising the School’s commitment to innovative teaching methodologies such as project-based learning and case studies.
The Health Re:Design Summit 2025 marked a moment of great significance for NOVA NSPH and the broader health ecosystem in Portugal, reinforcing the role of students as drivers of transformation and the importance of collaboration between academia, professionals, and civil society.
