The aim of the project is to gain new insights in the field of health services research based on (Upper) Austrian data. The research projects have a health economic focus, which is interdisciplinarily extended by the cooperation with physicians of different fields. Current research topics are

• Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Upper Austrian population: In this project the direct impact and collateral damage of the Covid-19 pandemic are examined and conclusions for the health care system are drawn.
• Impact of the shortage of personnel in the health sector on health care in Upper Austria.
• Health status and development of children: This topic includes both comprehensive analyses of trends and specific disease patterns (e.g., under/overweight, mental health), effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and evaluations of health policy interventions (e.g., school screening) as well as an analysis of the reduction in pediatric positions on child health.

Project funding by: Medical Association of Upper Austria, Kepler University Hospital GmbH, Upper Austrian Health Holding GmbH, Austrian Health Insurance Fund

Further project partners: Department of Health of the Upper Austrian Government; Chair of Health Services Research of the Medical Faculty of the JKU

JKU project partner: Katrin Zocher, PhD